Naval Aviation critical to war on terrorism - Brief Article

0 Comments | Naval Aviation News, Jan-Feb, 2003 | by Walter T. Ham, IV

Two-thirds of the Navy's carrier force has deployed since the attacks on 11 September and Naval Aviation will continue to play a critical role in the war on terrorism, stated Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vein Clark, right, during a speech at the Tailhook Reunion in Rena, Nevada. "What the world and our leadership is understanding is why the nation has to have this kind of capability. Without Naval Aviation, we would be just like any other navy," he said.

CNO emphasized that Naval Aviation has excelled because of its focus on the growth and development of its Sailors: "We grow our perspective because of the people we get to work around, the people who teach us, the people we came up with, the people who shape our character and our development. And even though I'm a black shoe, I'm an individual who has been shaped greatly by this community."

According to the admiral, another reason for Naval Aviation's success is clear focus on its purpose: to project American sovereignty and power to far comers of the earth. "It's the responsibility of everyone who leads in our Navy to help those who are coming along to understand who we are. One of the things that makes Naval Aviation great is that you all understand who you are," CNO said. "The men and women who lead our Navy are thinking hard and challenging the assumptions about what our Navy is about today and what it needs to be about in the future. It's an exciting and great time to be a part of Naval Aviation and the United States Navy."