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Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Visits Team SPAWAR

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100603-29
6/3/2010

By Susan Piedfort and Steve Yuhas, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Public Affairs

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (NNS) -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen visited Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center (SSC) Atlantic June 3.

The visit is the last in a week of high profile visits to thank the military and civilian personnel responsible for outfitting the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) and MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV).

Both vehicles have had a significant impact on reducing casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Mullen spoke to Team SPAWAR employees in the main engineering center, thanking the entire team for its contributions to warfighter readiness. He also visited the MRAP integration facility to congratulate the M-ATV integration team after it reached a milestone by completing the 5,000th M-ATV installation.

"The reputation you have is superb," Mullen told a group of more than 600 Team SPAWAR employees.

"You are delivering critical capabilities to the fleet, to Marines, and to joint customers," Mullen said. "I just wanted to come here to tell you how much I appreciate what you do. I believe you are no different –from the standpoint of your dedication, patriotism and support to our nation – from those who wear the uniform."

Mullen toured the SSC Atlantic M-ATV integration facility where command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) equipment is installed in the M-ATVs. After they are outfitted with state-of-the-art technology, they are shipped to the nation's warfighters in Afghanistan to aid the Soldiers and Marines on daily patrols.

Team SPAWAR, SSC Atlantic, and C4ISR team are responsible for the prototyping, testing, integration, installation and quality assurance of all advanced C4I equipment on the M-ATVs.

Mullen said he visited Team SPAWAR with "one singular thought in mind" and it was to tell the people at Team SPAWAR, the military and civilian employees at SSC Atlantic, and the SPAWAR commander that he felt a lot of gratitude about what was being produced in Charleston. Further, the gratitude stretched all the way to the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Every time I have made a trip in theater, a Soldier has come to me and said, 'keep the MRAPS and M-ATVs coming. They save our lives. Tell them back home thank you,' you have made an incredible difference to those in the fight, and to their families. We can always depend on people like you to meet the challenge, whatever it is, so I thank you," Mullen said.

The M-ATV answers an urgent and compelling requirement to protect warfighters with a highly survivable, off-road capable vehicle. The M-ATV mission is for small unit combat operations in highly restricted rural, mountainous and urban environments that include mounted patrols, reconnaissance, security, convoy protection and communications.

"Having Admiral Mullen come to tell the people of Team SPAWAR what a wonderful job they are doing was great," SPAWAR commander, Rear Adm. Michael C. Bachmann said.

"Letting the team know that what they do every day has a direct impact on the men and women serving in Afghanistan and Iraq is humbling. It underscores the need to outfit these vehicles to keep our warfighters the most technologically advanced in the world. It also lets our enemy know that we are committed to adapting to threats as they present themselves on the battlefield," Bachmann added following the tour.

MRAP and M-ATV vehicles are credited with saving many lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The weapon of choice by terrorists and insurgent fighters is the improvised explosive device, or IED, and the design of these vehicles has been instrumental in making these weapons of death less lethal for the warfighter. Team SPAWAR is keenly aware that the ability for any nation to quickly adapt techniques, equipment, and strategies to the battlefield is essential for success.

This visit was especially poignant because it allowed the entire Team SPAWAR to hear firsthand that things done at Team SPAWAR have a direct effect on the lives of people downrange and half a world away.