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Pacific Fleet Commander Reflects on Navy Birthday, Service

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081008-04
Release Date: 10/8/2008 3:14:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Luke J. Perry, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- In his latest edition of the "Rat-Pac Report" podcast, posted Oct. 8, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Robert F. Willard discussed the 233rd birthday of the United States Navy.

"Our Navy birthday is a time to reflect on the traditions that have made our Navy as great as it truly is. And many of those traditions are things that occasionally we need to review, we need to adhere to," said Willard.

A theme of this year's birthday is the Navy's commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as seen by Pacific Partnership.

"We've embarked now on a new tradition for our Navy that is having a great impact on countries in need and putting, I think, a face on our Navy that is not just U.S., but rather incorporates non-government organizations and foreign militaries," said Willard. "Our uniformed personnel are being recognized as helpers in the region, not just warriors."

Pacific Partnership 2008 was a humanitarian civic assistance mission designed to build relationships with partner nations in Southeast Asia. During the six-month mission, more than 100,000 medical and dental patients were seen, nearly 1,400 surgeries conducted, almost 7,000 animals treated and 25 major engineering projects completed.

"We have a new mission. We have a great many traditions," said Willard. "We'll try and capture both of those themes in our Navy birthday balls that occur throughout the year and around the world. Happy birthday, Navy."

The latest podcast is available for download on the Pacific Fleet Web site, www.cpf.navy.mil. A new "Rat-Pac Report" is scheduled to appear on the site every Wednesday.

In addition to his weekly podcast, Willard writes a blog that highlights his travels throughout the Pacific Fleet area of operation and discusses top issues in the Pacific Fleet today. A link to the blog can also be found on the Pacific Fleet Web site.

For more news from Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cpf/.