Deputy Secretary of Defense Visits Submarine Sailors at Bangor
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080731-14
Release Date: 7/31/2008 4:23:00 PM
From Commander, Submarine Group 9 Public Affairs
SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England returned to his Navy roots to thank the Sailors of the Bangor submarine community for their service July 30.
England held an all-hands call and emphasized the importance of strategic deterrence mission and added the ballistic missile submarine force is the cornerstone of our national defense.
"Because of you, over 300 million Americans wake up every day and know that they are free," said England.
He also took advantage of his visit to the area to have lunch and meet with Sailors aboard the USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) and stressed the continued need for having the right men and women in today's Navy.
"The nation spends billions of dollars on research, development and acquisitions of new equipment and that is important," England said. "But you can build a technically advanced submarine and it is of no value unless you have highly trained, skilled, educated and motivated Sailors to operate it."
England praised Sailors and their families for their dedication and commitment on behalf of the president of the United States.
"The freedom we enjoy is not by accident, individual choice, or without sacrifice, but it is because of the service of all of you who wear the cloth of our nation."
The secretary addressed questions from the audience on the future of strategic defense.
"Deterrence is more important now than during the Cold War, because of the unknown intentions of some nations," England stated. "We have begun planning for future ballistic missile submarines with the knowledge that deterrence keeps us from engaging in major wars."
For more news from Commander, Submarine Group 9, visit www.navy.mil/local/csg9/.
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