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SECNAV Speaks at 2011 Sea-Air-Space Exposition

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110412-07
4/12/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shannon Burns, Defense Media Activity - Navy

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (NNS) -- The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) served as the keynote speaker during the opening day of the 2011 Navy League Sea-Air-Space Exposition in National Harbor, Md., April 11.

Mabus spoke about the various operations that the Navy and Marine Corps are involved in, as well as the accomplishments of the last two years.

"The Navy and Marine Corps remain the most formidable fighting force the world has ever known," said Mabus. "Today's headlines underscore the fact that we have a global force engaged in a vast and diverse array of responsibilities. Our forces are engaged today in operations ranging from major combat in Afghanistan, to enforcement of the no-fly zone over Libya, to relief operations in Japan in the wake of the March 11th Sendai earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

"These are in addition to a myriad of other missions over the past two years including disaster relief in the Philippines, Indonesia, Haiti, and Pakistan; partnership stations in Africa, South America, and the South Pacific; and counter-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia," said Mabus.

SECNAV said he would not hesitate to recommend or cancel programs which are deemed too expensive, ineffective or unneeded such as the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV).

"The Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle's construction would have taken all of the Marine Corps' ground procurement account and 90 percent of its vehicular operations and maintenance account for about two percent of the Corps' vehicles," said Mabus. "This program is an example of something simply taking too long. The EFV started in 1988, and is the only example I know of that required a life extension program for the test vehicles."

Mabus said the effort to make progress toward energy efficiency will go on.

"We are on track to meet every one of our energy goals, and to meet the President's challenge issued two weeks ago to work with private industry and the Departments of Energy and Agriculture to create a domestic advanced biofuel market," said Mabus. "We will continue to invest in energy improvements, including smart grid technology and advanced batteries that can store renewable energy, and we will, through these efforts, make the Navy and Marine Corps better warfighters and better able to defend our country."

Mabus also presented the Adm. Vern Clark and Gen James L. Jones Safety awards, which are presented annually to Navy and Marine Corps personnel and units that exemplify and advance a culture of safety.

"I want to again congratulate the winners of the safety awards," said Mabus. "What these Sailors and Marines have done demonstrates the incredible professionalism of our force. They earned their awards for doing things right, particularly in difficult situations."

SECNAV Ray Mabus expressed his gratitude toward the Navy League and its president, Daniel B. Branch, Jr., for their efforts concerning sea power.

"In the almost two years since I have been in office, I've had the opportunity to talk to a number of Navy League organizations, and I've seen up close the dedication of every single member of the league to our Marines' and Sailors' welfare," said Mabus. "Through publications like Sea Power magazine and forums like this, the Navy League helps to keep in the forefront the role of the sea services and the importance of sea power to our country."

The exposition, now in its 46th year, runs through April 13, and features more than 150 exhibits highlighting the latest advancements in sea power technology and includes professional seminars with many top civilian and military leaders from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD); Homeland Security, and Transportation; as well as the defense industry's senior officials.

The Navy League of the United States was founded in 1902 and is a civilian organization with more than 50,000 members dedicated to educating Americans and elected officials about the importance of sea power to U.S. national security and supporting the men and women of the sea services and their families.