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U.S. Fleet Forces Command Addresses Navy Sonar and the Environment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080129-12
Release Date: 1/29/2008 3:43:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Joseph R. Wax, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Atlantic

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, recently recorded a podcast to inform Sailors about the Navy's use of active sonar in its training exercises, and ongoing litigation.

A motion was recently filed in the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California, to severely limit the Navy's use of active sonar stemming from questions that have been raised about the environmental impact sonar may have on marine mammals.

According to Greenert, training with active sonar is a necessity for the Navy units and carrier strike groups to ensure they are ready for deployment.

"Number one, Sailors have to be ready to deploy and we will do that," said Greenert. "Number two, we will comply with federal law and regulations, and we have done that. Three, we will base our actions on proven science while being good stewards of the environment."

The sonar under debate is mid-frequency active sonar that is used by surface ships, helicopters and P-3C Orion patrol aircraft in conjunction with sonobuoys.

"There are restrictions that environmentalists and some of the state courts have asked us to apply," said Greenert. "We have been willing to do that and will be willing to do that to a point where it does not interfere with our ability to train, and for our Sailors to have the confidence that they are proficient in the operation of their sonar."

"We are good stewards to the environment," he said. "I am very convinced of that and we have a good track record proving as such."

Recently the courts have issued a partial stay of their injunction against the use of active sonar, allowing the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to participate in their joint task force exercise in preparation for deployment.

"In fact, the Secretary of the Navy (Donald C. Winter) is going to observe the operations of the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group," said Greenert. "I think that is an indicator of the significance and importance of our sonar training, and our ability to continue to do that in an appropriate manner and a manner where our Sailors have the means and the ability to conduct those exercises, and feel confident as they go forward that they can do the job that is asked of them."

Greenert stressed that the Navy has and will continue to cooperate with all federal laws and regulations while studies are conducted to determine any potential impact that active sonar may have on the environment and marine mammals.

"We will continue to cooperate with federal regulators," he said. "We will continue to be a major part in studying the impact of sonar and sound on marine mammals because we are good stewards to the environment and we have to be that."

For next month's podcast, Greenert looks forward to answering questions and concerns from Sailors throughout the fleet.

To listen to this podcast interview with Greenert log on to www.cffc.navy.mil .

For more news from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/clf/.