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Foreign Defense Attachés Visit Naval Station Everett

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080521-23
Release Date: 5/21/2008 5:15:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Hodges Pone III and Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (NAC) Jason Beckjord, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Det. Northwest

EVERETT, Wa (NNS) -- Service members from various countries, serving as defense attaches, visited Naval Station Everett May 19 to get a glimpse of Navy Region Northwest's Maritime Strategy as well as see what the newest base in the U.S. Navy's fleet has to offer.

The group was composed of representatives from Argentina, Germany and as far away as Singapore to see the quality of life of regional personnel, a training exercise and what the Sailors of the Pacific Northwest do on a day-to-day basis.

The visitors were able hear about the changes the U.S. Navy has undergone to improve its capabilities in alignment with warfighting in the 21st century and what the role of foreign navies are in accomplishing their mission.

"About two years ago, the previous Chief of Naval Operations realized that because of the way that things have changed throughout the past 15 years or so, our operations had to enter full-bore, certainly after the way things changed after 9/11," said Rear Adm. James Symonds, commander, Navy Region Northwest. "Helping people around the world is a lot of what Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen do. This is one of the big differences in the new Maritime Strategies; we're partnering with other navies to secure to seas."

Symonds said along with defending freedom, another important facet of the strategy is humanitarian assistance and expressed how vital this is to world security.

"In 1990, there were more than 500,000 active duty Sailors, but as of a couple of weeks ago, we are at 330,000," said Symonds. "Seattle and Tacoma make up the 11th largest port complex in the world and there is a connection, which is our Navy's capabilities and the freedom of seas."

The attachés also saw some of the training various departments within the region receive to enhance their at-sea and shore performance.

"It's important we get together and share a few ideas during peacetime," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jason O'Keefe, of Naval Station Everett. "It was good to show our allies how we train and house our Sailors and maybe they take what they learn and improve some of their programs as well."

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Northwest, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrnw/.