Sea-air-space 2003: "America's best" expo

Sea Power, May 2003

The naval research chief, Rear Adm. Jay Cohen, assured everyone within earshot that his new office in Russia "is not a front for intelligence." Navy Rear Adm. Steven L. Enewold, deputy director of the Joint Strike Fighter program, said that Singapore and Israel soon would join the international aircraft program. And Coast Guard Rear Adm. Larry L. Hereth, the service's director of port security, said 102 nations had agreed to tighten procedures at the world's busiest ports and that cargo and cruise line companies "are definitely going to notice the difference."

These were among the more salient statements by top sea service officials at the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition 2003, held in Washington 15-17 April. Perhaps the most meaningful line to emerge from the five professional seminars held at the exposition was delivered by Vice Adm. Michael G. Mulllen, who, according to Defense News, assured those in the audience-and elsewhere-that the U.S. Navy is "not out of bullets" despite the sometimes ferocious fighting in Iraq. "If we had to go do something right now, we could do it," he said.

Meanwhile, coverage of the Navy League by the national press was "over the top," said Amanda Kotval, the Navy League's manager of corporate communications. Time magazine assigned a writer and two photographers to cover the exhibits. WTTG Fox 5 News, of Washington, D.C., covered the show on its morning news program. Several networks and news services, including ABC, NBC, CNN, CBS, Reuters, and the Associated Press, turned out to cover the luncheon speech by Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Most of them heard Navy Secretary Hansford T. Johnson as he summarized the theme of the show-"America's Best"-by labeling "the sons and daughters of our nation" who had freed Iraq as "the new Greatest Generation" of Americans.

Fanning Announces Winners Of Navy League's 2003 Professional Excellence Awards NLUS National President Timothy O. Fanning has announced the names of the winners of the Navy League's 2003 Professional Excellence Awards, which are presented annually to recognize the men and women of the U.S. sea services, including civilian employees, and others in the defense field, whose achievements during the previous year contributed significantly to U.S. national defense and to the capabilities of their individual services.

Following is a list of the 2003 award winners, with synopses of and/or excerpts from their citations, which will be presented to most of the recipients at the Awards Luncheon during the Navy League's 2003 National Convention, 18 to 22 June at the Hilton Hawaii Village in Honolulu.

The John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership: Captain Johnny L. Green, USN, "for exceptionally meritorious performance as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy. Captain Green's charisma, tireless work ethic, and concern for his Sailors helped forge the ship's officers and crew into a dedicated warfighting team, inspired cooperation, overcame numerous obstacles, and returned the ship to full combat readiness in time to deploy early to fight in the war against terrorism. He expertly managed the long and costly package of ship's force and contractor team repairs and upgrades that corrected all major combat system discrepancies and security shortcomings. He also diplomatically handled sensitive national news coverage through open communication with the crew, members of Congress, and the news media. He set new standards of excellence and gave his crew the energy, motivation, and determination they needed to repair their ship and deploy to meet our nation's challenges."

The Naval Intelligence Foundation Award: Lieutenant Commander D. Mark Houff, USN, "for exceptional leadership in providing operational intelligence support while leading the George Washington Battle Group intelligence team as assistant battle group intelligence officer. He provided the Battle Group with flawless intelligence in support of operations in the Fifth and Sixth Fleet areas of responsibilities. He skillfully trained and expertly led over 25 intelligence analysts through a demanding series of intelligence training operations and exercises, highlighted by a performance during deployment exercises in which Second Fleet evaluators rated them as 'best observed in the last five battle groups.' This prepared the intelligence team for a flawlessly executed six-month deployment that included combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch."

The Admiral Claude V. Ricketts Award for Inspirational Leadership, E-7 and above: Command Master Chief Robert J. Zamora, USN, "for his flawless performance as a leader aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Ford. His leadership resulted in a clean sweep of all inspections. USS Ford always maintained a steady strain and increased its proficiency by overcoming each and every obstacle. He aggressively addressed one of the CNO's top manpower priorities by establishing professional development boards that identified the needs of the ship's Sailors and matched them to the needs of the Navy, by implementing an aggressive training program that resulted in more qualified Sailors, and by becoming personally involved with the local community through Navy League and United Way projects. His gregarious personality and dedicated approach to mentoring produced a dramatic increase in retention and reduction in attrition."