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SECNAV Speaks on Marine Terminal, Encroachment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081017-04
Release Date: 10/17/2008 7:09:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christal A. Ferris, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter addressed the Fleet Week Foundation, the San Diego Military Advisory Council, and community leaders including San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, and Coronado Mayor Tom Smisek in San Diego during the Fleet Week Foundation's annual breakfast Oct. 15.

Winter discussed key national defense issues, both overseas and within the United States, including the prominent role played by San Diego bases and the associated military support capacity in the area. In particular, he raised concerns over a wide range of encroachment issues and the extent to which the Navy Department is less able to be flexible than in the past regarding land use issues.

In trying to reach a balance between domestic pressures and Navy and Marine Corps requirements to train, the Secretary talked about the culture of national service.

"It's difficult because in many cases it comes from a domain of sacrifice and commitment and giving to our nation, to a situation of interests that are more self-serving and more focused on what's of interest to individuals as opposed what's giving to our nation at large."

"Contention over land use has become increasingly important," he said. "I try to remind people that through the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) process we have worked to try to limit our number of bases across the United States," noted Winter. He further explained that with fewer facilities nationwide the Navy Department must guard the existing ability to train and prepare for military operations.

Winter particularly noted his concern surrounding the proposed redevelopment of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, a San Diego facility that routinely handles both military and military-related hardware under secure conditions.

"While this is not directly a Navy-owned facility, it is very clearly in direct support of Navy and other military operations here on the West Coast," he said. "Not only does it support our direct shipments overseas, but it also supports our defense industry partners in San Diego. We do a lot of ship building and ship repair activities here. We need to be able to offload and unload heavy items from ships."

"It's beyond me why at this time with all the economic crises that exist here why put at risk an industry that represents a little over 25 percent of the economy of San Diego County. Personal objectives and interests associated with those who have other agendas...are at odds with what the macro-economic interests of the region as well as the interests of the Navy and Marine Corps in our interest in providing for the national defense," he stated.

According to Winter, the terminal is vital to West Coast Navy and Marine Corps operations as more than 50 percent of military support from the West Coast to the Middle East alone passes through the terminal.

He also cited Marine Corps Air Station Miramar as an example of a base subject to recent encroachment pressures.

"We need to maintain the operations at Miramar as a Marine Corps Air Station, as a major training and operations area to be able to sustain the activities here," Winter said.

Further magnifying the importance of San Diego as the principal fleet concentration center for the West Coast, Winter reaffirmed the Navy's long-term commitment to the movement of more naval assets to San Diego including a third carrier, littoral combat ships and other forces.

Winter also extolled the natural attributes of the harbor, proximity of at-sea and ashore training ranges, an ideal environment to conduct marine maintenance and the strong support of the local community as reasons why the military infrastructure in the San Diego region is so important.

Turning his attention to personnel issues, Winter spoke about the Navy's role in Iraq and Afghanistan and the new Global Support Assignment (GSA) detailing system.

"GSA detailing is intended to try and regularize the process so we're not taking Sailors out of sequence, which affects their families and their commands. It enables us to structure the support of the Navy families," he added.

The Navy has been supporting OIF through the individual augmentee assignment, but Winter highlighted the shift to the GSA process and other related process changes.

While the Navy's role in OIF is a top priority, Winter reminded the group that service members and their families remain number one on the list.

"It's important to remind our men and women in uniform that they are appreciated," he said. "Being able to provide a comfortable living arrangement for families is absolutely critical." The Navy currently has more than 60,000 Sailors deployed around the world.

After his address at the Fleet Week breakfast, Winter visited the littoral combat ship training center in San Diego, engaged Marines involved in firefighting efforts at Camp Pendleton and wrapped up the single day visit at Naval Medical Center San Diego's facilities for wounded military personnel and their families.

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