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U.K. Military Gains Insight into Naval Combat Support

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060429-03
Release Date: 4/29/2006 10:00:00 AM

By Journalist Seaman Matthew D. Leistikow, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- More than 170 staff members and students from the U.K. Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC) attended a briefing to learn about the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., April 27.

JSCSC’s visit to Norfolk is part of the college's course on global and regional security studies.

“They’re (JSCSC) here to get direct insight into the U.S., its strategic, foreign security and military policies,” said Royal Navy Capt. John Gower, director of A-division of the advanced command and staff course. “As much as you can get in one week on the East Coast.”

Cmdr. George Bonsall, assistant operations officer for NECC, briefed the foreign officers about NECC and its functions.

“[NECC's] mission is to provide combat support, combat service support forces and a small number of combat arms forces to joint commanders packaged in a manner that meets their needs,” Bonsall explained.

Bonsall described some of NECC’s functions to the distinguished guests. Some of the areas covered included Naval Coastal Warfare, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center.

“The Navy’s realigning its expeditionary units, adding significant capability in the riverine force, civil affairs and training teams,” said Bonsall, “all of which we could partner with [other nations] in our efforts.”

After Bonsall’s presentation, individuals from JSCSC asked questions to help them better understand the information.

The 170 JSCSC students and directing staff present at the briefing account for half of the class. The other half of JSCSC is scheduled to visit Norfolk in June.