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CNO Visits Tortuga

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060728-18
7/28/2006

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David J. Ham, USS Tortuga Public Affairs

SURABAYA, Indonesia (NNS) -- While exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2006 wrapped up in Indonesia, Sailors aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 46) hosted the Navy’s most distinguished Sailor July 18.

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen visited Tortuga during a brief port visit here, to discuss his vision for the Navy’s future and tomorrow’s Navy leaders.

“I believe every Sailor in the Navy is a leader,” Mullen announced in his opening remarks at an all hands call on Tortuga’s flight deck Tuesday afternoon. Mullen explicitly stated that he expects everyone from seaman recruit to first class petty officer to develop into the leaders of tomorrow.

Mullen discussed many subjects of interest to Tortuga’s forward-deployed Sailors, such as the recent hull swap between Tortuga and USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), consecutive overseas tours (COT) policies, and Tortuga’s recent underway schedule. He also discussed subjects as broad as the voluntary separation pay for enlisted members, the Exceptional Sailor Program (ESP) in Sasebo, and Individual Augmentation (IA) and its effects on sea/shore rotation.

Tortuga’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Michael T. Talaga, said the crew’s reaction of the CNO’s visit was positive.

“I think anyone would be happy to host the Chief of Naval Operations aboard for a private audience. There have been people in the Navy for 20 plus years that have never attended a private gathering with the CNO," he said. "This was a once in a lifetime event for most of the crew.”

Several Tortuga crew members had the distinct pleasure of receiving their Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) pin from the CNO. Yeoman 2nd Class (SW) Thomas Highley said the experience was one that he will remember for a long time.

“It was quite an experience getting pinned by the CNO because it feels good to be recognized, which makes the moment more memorable and special,” Highley said.

In his closing remarks, the CNO acknowledged the importance of Tortuga’s forward presence in the U.S. 7th Fleet.

“You are operating in a part of the world that is indicative of the need to understand different cultures, different backgrounds in a lot of different places of the world," CNO explained. "You have been terrific representatives of the United States of America and the United States Navy, and I am grateful."

Following the CNO’s remarks, Tortuga’s Junior Sailor of the Year, Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Sumi McLennan presented Mullen with a traditional Sasebo wooden top with an inlaid Tortuga coin.

CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime exercises between the United States and six Southeast Asia nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces. Tortuga continues to conduct exercises with U.S. Forces USCGC Sherman (WHEC 720), USS Hopper (DDG 70), USS Crommelin (FFG 37), and USS Salvor (ARS 52).

Tortuga is part of Forward-Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), operating out of Sasebo, Japan, and is the Navy’s only forward-deployed landing ship dock. The Forward Deployed ARG is part of Task Force 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force, which is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.

For related news, visit the Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/ctf76/.