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Full Spectrum of Naval Leaders Attend Task Force 76 Commanders Conference

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070813-12
Release Date: 8/13/2007 5:26:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Adam R. Cole, Task Force 76 Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- Commanding officers from Task Force (TF) 76 ships, ship-specific Class Squadrons (CLASSRONs), Afloat Training Group (ATG) and a number of fleet-supporting commands were in attendance at a Commanders Conference, Aug. 8-9.

The conference brought together important stakeholders from across the board - training, readiness, supply, maintenance, medical and family support - to exchange dialogue that would better allow TF 76 ships and Sailors forward-deployed to Sasebo to meet the commitments of 7th Fleet operations, according to Commander, TF 76 Rear Adm. Carol M. Pottenger, who oversaw the conference.

“It was phenomenal just to bring so many leaders from every facet of the Navy that has an impact on the lives of our Sailors and partake in an open forum and information exchange,” said Pottenger. “The end result was a better awareness of the issues and a stronger connection with those--the CLASSRONs, ATG, SURFOR [Commander, Naval Surface Force]—-that are there to help us solve those issues.”

In prior conferences, which are usually held every six months, Pottenger and her predecessor, Rear Adm. Victor G. Guillory, have directly engaged with the senior leadership of the TF 76 ships, with only a handful of representatives outside of the TF 76 scope in attendance.

“This conference was important because it allowed us to share issues and has allowed us to meet face-to-face the points of contact to help us get through those particular issues,” said Cmdr. Todd A. Lewis, commander, USS Tortuga (LSD 46). “By having this type of forum we’ve worked out some viable solutions heading into the future that can help Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Sasebo be even more capable.”

Fleet-support representatives were appreciative of the opportunity to meet with the ship’s they support. For them, it was like hearing direct feedback from the customer.

“We can now take this feedback and turn it into action,” said Capt. Bill Valentine, commodore, LHDRON. “I think it really shows us, as a CLASSRON, how we have to be continually engaged with the needs of the ships we serve and effectively apply resources to meet those needs.”

The overall exchanges were very positive, said Pottenger in her concluding remarks.

“We’ve made a lot of progress here, and I encourage you all to continue this dialogue and working together,” said Pottenger, in her concluding remarks at the conference. “Ship commanders, the tools are now even more at your fingertips to keep your ships mission ready. Use the resources available, the people that have been sitting alongside you throughout this conference.”

Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 76 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. TF 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.