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Commander ESG 7 Embarks USS Harpers Ferry For a First-Hand Look

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070318-03
Release Date: 3/18/2007 4:28:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mark Alvarez, USS Harpers Ferry Public Affairs

USS HARPERS FERRY, At Sea (NNS) -- Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, Rear Adm. Carol M. Pottenger embarked landing dock ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) March 14, at Iwo Jima, Japan to observe operational readiness.

While on board Harpers Ferry, Pottenger met with Sailors of all pay grades through a series of group and personal meetings. She emphasized the operational necessity of the forward deployed amphibious Navy and addressed the personal development aspect for Sailors with regards to Program for Afloat College Education (PACE) classes and the Thrift Savings Plan.

“We are not just concerned with Sailors accomplishing the mission,” said Pottenger. “We know they have families at home and we want them to know we care about their personal and professional development. I hope to relate to them that leadership is aware that life isn’t easy.”

It is unusual for Harpers Ferry to embark Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7, but the visit gave Commanding Officer, Cmdr. David L. Bossert an opportunity to show off the unit cohesion of his crew.

“We have a really outstanding group of people here aboard Harpers Ferry. They do an excellent job and it felt good to show Adm. Pottenger that first hand,” said Bossert. “She spent a lot of time interacting with our crew and they showed her the ‘can do’ attitude we have here aboard Harpers Ferry.”

Pottenger noticed that esprit de corps, commenting that she saw the good morale and enthusiasm of the crew. She also said she could see Harpers Ferry Sailors are working hard and are proud of what they are doing.

Harpers Ferry is part of the Navy’s forward-deployed amphibious force serving under Commander, Task Force 76. Task Force 76, which is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.