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Naval Base San Diego Hosts Annual SNA Symposium

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080831-09
Release Date: 8/31/2008 6:43:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Brian Gaines, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Members of the San Diego chapter of the Surface Navy Association (SNA) held the 10th annual West Coast Symposium at Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) Aug. 28.

Speakers at the symposium discussed issues concerning the future of naval warfare with nearly 200 attendees.

"The theme of this year's symposium is executing the Maritime Strategy,'" said Capt. Dixon Smith, NBSD's commanding officer and SNA San Diego chapter president. "The speakers we have here today will address maritime strategies for their respective areas of responsibility (AOR)."

Rear Adm. Phillip H. Greene, commander, Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa AOR, said that by assisting in the stabilization of local governments with the presence of U.S. forces, his task force can concentrate its energy on furthering the U.S. Maritime Strategy in the region.

Capt. Neil Parrott, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) commanding officer, said the symposium, which offers the latest technology and theories on display, is important to the overall success of the surface warfare community.

"The Maritime Strategy has changed significantly in the last few years and I think it's important to see the theory of these strategies put into practice," Parrott added. "The new weapons, training tools and ideas will aid in mission accomplishment."

Rear Adm. Charles W. Martoglio, director for operations, U.S. Pacific Command, spoke on the importance of maritime strategies in large geographical areas.

"Places such as PACOM are an almost exclusive maritime theater," said Martoglio. "Almost half of the Earth's surface is in the Pacific theater, and most of that is ocean. A well executed maritime strategy is important for routine operations, humanitarian efforts and peacekeeping."

Government-contracted defense companies and suppliers were present to exhibit the latest in surface warfare technology. The symposium also gave non-SNA members a chance to sign up with the association.

The SNA was incorporated in 1985 to promote greater communication among those in the military, business and academic communities who share a common interest in naval surface warfare and to promote activities of surface naval forces.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Southwest, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrsw/.