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CNO Concludes First Official Counterpart Visit

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080421-16
Release Date: 4/21/2008 4:27:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Rebekah Blowers, Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead concluded his first official counterpart visit wApril 19, while traveling in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command area of responsibility.

In addition to the counterpart visit with Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Roughead traveled to Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti and Germany making office calls with host nation leaders, meeting with military commanders and holding all hands calls with Sailors and Marines. The visit served to increase dialogue and cooperation and strengthen international maritime partnerships, a part of the Navy's Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower.

"What I hope to accomplish is to continue the dialogue with the leadership that is here, to get a sense from the countries in the region, how they see things, how we can work more closely together," Roughead said. "But it also allows me to hear from our Sailors [about] the work that we're doing and policies that we have in place."

During his trip, he flew out to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) currently underway in the Persian Gulf on a regularly scheduled deployment to meet with the crew.

"You should be very proud of the operations you are conducting. The work that you're doing, whether it's flying strikes into Iraq, supporting coalition efforts in the Arabian Gulf or the work you're doing with other coalition partners…all makes a huge difference," Roughead said during an all hands call.

While in the Horn of Africa the CNO spoke to Sailors, Marines and Navy leadership about their mission: to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism.

"It's from here that we're able to work with other commands and other units to really be able to go after the roots and the sources of those who are trying to harm us as a country, trying to harm our friends and partners that are collectively trying to make the world a better place," CNO said. "Your impact is significant, it's making a difference and it's greatly appreciated."

While addressing the Sailors and Marines throughout his trip, Roughead emphasized the importance of their daily operations.

"The young men and women that wear our Navy's uniform who are on duty in this part of the world have the best insight into what that future looks like," expressed Roughead. "It's from you that I learn, it's from you that I take those lessons back with me and it's from you that I set in place the policies that we need to have in place today and tomorrow."

Roughead said the information he gathered on the trip is vital to his decision making back in Washington, D.C.

"You can't find out what's going on in the Navy by sitting in Washington. By being able to come out and meet with Sailors and talking to the commanders, I get a better sense of what I need to do in Washington leading the Navy and putting in place not just the things that our Navy needs today, but the things that we're going to need for the future," CNO said.

For more news from the Chief of Naval Operations, visit www.navy.mil/local/cno.