Military

Navy Establishes New Defense Against Terrorism

From Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs
Story Number: NNS030129-08
1/29/2003

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- In the ongoing war against terrorism, the Navy unveiled its newest line of defense, as Mobile Security Group (MSG) 2 and Mobile Security Squadron (MSS) 2 were commissioned in a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk Jan. 24.

Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Rear Adm. Terrance Etnyre served as the ceremony's guest speaker.

"You all will be charged with the responsibility of protecting Navy ships and aircraft, Military Sealift Command ships and other high-value Department of Defense assets against the threat of terrorist attack," said Etnyre in his remarks to the assembled Sailors of the new commands.

Based out of Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va., MSS-2's three mobile detachments will provide point defense and perimeter security from land and sea. The commands were established in the wake of the bombing of USS Cole (DDG 67) and the Sept. 11 attacks on America.

Capt. Timothy Sprague, a 1978 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned a bachelor's degree in international security affairs, is the first commodore to oversee MSG-2, a powerful team that will play an important role in the global war on terrorism. vBefore taking command of USS Nicholas (FFG 49), Sprague served on a number of ships, including USS Forrestal (CV 59) and USS De Wert (FFG 45). He then went on to continue his education, earning a masters degree in national security and strategic studies. He has also served as fleet operations officer on the 2nd Fleet staff.

Cmdr. Andrew Paul, a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is the first to command MSS-2 and its three detachments.

Before taking command, Paul served aboard a number of ships such as USS Sampson (DDG 10) and USS John S. McCain (DDG 56).

After a tour as executive officer aboard USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) during the ship's maiden deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, he served on the staff of Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.