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Leaders Say Navy, Marine Corps On Point in Operation Iraqi Freedom

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030404-04
Release Date: 4/4/2003 10:55:00 AM

By Chief Journalist Walter T. Ham IV, Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The leaders of the Navy Marine Corps team told senators that Sailors and Marines are carrying out the commander-in-chief's orders on the point in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Acting Secretary of the Navy H.T. Johnson, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark and Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael Hagee testified April 2 before the Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Defense. Clark and Hagee also testified April 1 before the Senate Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Sea Power.

Johnson said that the Navy Marine Corps team is bringing its capabilities to bear and providing extraordinary service to the nation.

"They [Sailors and Marines] have demonstrated the full effect of their lethal power, from blue water to the littorals and well beyond, engaging and destroying the enemy in areas that previously would have been considered sanctuaries from sea-based forces," Johnson testified. "The superior operational and personnel readiness levels we have been able to sustain are directly reflective of the strong, sustained support of the Congress."

Clark said a large portion of the Navy is deployed and in the fight in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"Fifty-four percent of our Navy is forward-deployed on the point. Different mixes are deployed in different ways. Seventy percent of the amphibious structure is deployed, taking General Hagee's Marines to the point. Seven of my aircraft carriers are deployed. Seventy percent of my air wings are deployed," Clark said.

"Most of those numbers are engaged in the Operation Iraqi Freedom, striking the enemy, conducting military support in support of land forces, clearing the sea lanes, bringing supplies, and protecting our joint coalition forces, on land and at sea," Clark said. "They're on the tip of the spear, and they're carrying out the president's orders,"

According to Hagee, the warfighting effectiveness of the Navy Marine Corps team is on display in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"The actions of your Marines in Iraq attests to their morale, readiness, and warfighting capability better than any words I could say here today," Hagee said. "They are performing magnificently."

Sen. Pete Domenici (New Mexico-R) told Johnson, Clark and Hagee that he believes the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces are the story of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"I'm convinced that the story of this war is going to be told for a long time, and it's going to be what kind of men and women are these Americans. It's absolutely fantastic for Americans and the world to see the behavior of these young men and women," Domenici said. "They're warriors, but they're gentle. They're warriors, but they're considerate. They're articulate. And the training they get and what kind of esprit de corps and skills they have is beyond what I could have expected for any group of Americans or any group of humans. So we're doing something very right."