US 3rd Fleet Commander Discusses Training Navy, Marine Corps Team at West 2012

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120125-15
1/25/2012

From U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet discussed the importance of providing Sailors and Marines realistic, relevant training during a panel discussion Jan. 24, at "West 2012," a conference and exposition co-sponsored by the U.S. Naval Institute and the Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association.

"It's our job to train [Sailors and Marines] and make sure that they excel in effectiveness when they go forward, especially in a time of high global demand," Vice Adm. Gerald Beaman said. "We train to a full range of missions, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, to maritime security operations, to amphibious assault and disaggregated operations. Flexibility requires strength in all of those missions."

The topic of the panel was how the Navy and Marine Corps would face future challenges. Other panel members included Vice Adm. Terence Blake, the deputy chief of naval operations for the integration of capabilities and resources, as well as Maj. Gen. Melvin Spiese, the deputy commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force and Brig. Gen. Daniel O'Donohue, director, USMC Capabilities Development Directorate.

According to Beaman, the future of the Navy Marine Corps team is bright.

"We are going forward as a team. Our flexibility, our agility and our ability to adapt and be the first ones on call require that," Beaman said. "There will certainly be challenges, no doubt, but we'll meet those challenges together as a team, and our flexibility and agility will help us to overcome those challenges."

In response to questions from the audience, Beaman discussed the importance of training to mission areas such as mine warfare, as well as the need to develop applications of new technologies for the fleet through venues for experimentation such as the Navy's annual Trident Warrior events.

Beaman also discussed the training required for Amphibious Ready Groups and Marine Expeditionary Units to improve naval amphibious core competencies.

"We are in the process of [establishing] two exercises, 'Dawn Blitz' on the west coast and 'Bold Alligator' [on the east coast]," Beaman said. "They might appear to be traditional amphibious assault. They are certainly modernized versions of that."

The Western Conference and Exposition (West 2012) runs from Jan. 24 to Jan. 26 at the San Diego Convention Center. It is the largest event on the West Coast for communications, electronics, intelligence, information systems, imaging, military weapon systems, aviation, shipbuilding, and other topics, and is attended by military, government, industry and academic professionals.