Tour of Asia-Pacific Councils Reveals Strong Sea Service Support

Sea Power, Aug 2005 by McNeill, Sheila M

During my two years as president, I was fortunate enough to visit every one of the Navy League regions and see the great work our members are doing every day to support our sea services. Every region has people who, without fanfare, do incredible work for our men and women in uniform.

We enjoy the same support and enthusiasm within our overseas councils. Additionally, these members, residing in another country, must not only be supportive of our sea services, they must develop a strong relationship with the local nationals and governments. This they do - and do it well.

This was more evident than ever when Arlie and I visited the councils in the Asia-Pacific region. Our tour included briefings with our Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine as well as foreign military officials, defense ministers, ambassadors, homeland security officials, governmental leaders and governors - all of whom spoke of a constant continuing dialog with our Navy League leadership. Never has it been more important to nourish and cultivate our partnerships in this region of the world, as current events so strongly indicate.

On our way to Asia, we visited San Diego where Pamela Ammerman, Pacific Southwest region president, and Curtis Beauchamp, San Diego Council president, organized a great reception. I also had a long talk with Adm. Walter Doran, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, as well as a briefing from the Navy and Coast Guard.

Japan

Our first stop was Japan, where we were met by Scott Hancock, Tokyo Council vice president, who accompanied us for the entire Japan visit. Our first brief was with Capt. Tom Arnold, chief of staff of U.S. Naval Forces Japan. Cmdr. John Wallach, spokesman for commander, Naval Forces Japan, gave an excellent briefing on Japan geopolitical issues and the installation mission.

Rear Adm. Jamie Kelly, commander, Carrier Strike Group Five, met with us before our tour of the carrier USS Kitty Hawk at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Kitty Hawk's forward-deployed operating port. Cmdr. Brenda Holdener, the ship's navigator, gave us a tour of the bridge and gave me an opportunity to thank the men and women of Kitty Hawk on behalf of the Navy League for all they do. We were interviewed on the deck of the ship, and Navy News carried the story.

We then traveled to Japan Maritime Self Defense Force QMSDF) Yokosuka District and toured JMSDF ships, including the newest destroyer, Makinami. That evening, a reception was held with Navy League members; ships' commanding officers; Japanese flag officers and spouses; Rear Adm. Frederic Ruehe, commander U.S. Naval Forces, Japan; and submariner Rear Adm. Dave Gove and his wife.

We were pleased that Tokyo Council President Fred Harris, a recent recipient of the secretary of the Navy public service award, was able to join us. He was recently hospitalized but has very much improved.

Our next visit was to Sasebo, where President Gerald Havens runs the award-winning Sasebo Council. As in Tokyo, we were impressed with the number of Japanese nationals working hard as Navy League members. At the mixer on Sunday evening were Vice Adm. Seizo Nakao, commandant, Sasebo District; and Rear Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of staff, Headquarters Sasebo District. Also in attendance where Capt. Michael James, commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, and his wife, along with base commanding officers and many council members.

The following day we had an excellent meeting with Capt. James. Takeshisa Seki, vice president of the council, actually checked out of the hospital for a few hours to join us at the council reception. A tour of Nagasaki Peace Park with Toshio Maeda finished up our visit to Sasebo.

Korea

The following day we departed for Korea where Navy League Area President Paul Chung and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Sea Power League had planned a full five days of meetings, tours and briefings.

Within an hour of arriving in Korea, we were hosted by Adm. Yu Sam Nam, former chief of naval operations and president of the Sea Power League, at the ROK Navy Club. We were able to discuss and solidify the Memorandum of Understanding between the Navy League and the Sea Power League, strengthening the bonds of friendship, cooperation and understanding between the two leagues and fostering support of robust programs for sea power.

The next day, the Sea Power League flew us to Gimp Airport where we traveled by land to Jinhae. We were hosted at a luncheon by Rear Adm. Choi Ki Joo, deputy commander, Naval Training Command.

Certainly one of the highlights of my trip was being invited to address more than 600 midshipmen at the Korean Naval Academy. My remarks were followed by lively and informed questions from the midshipmen before I had a separate meeting with the 80 female midshipmen. The academy opened its enrollment to women just three years ago and it was a great opportunity to discuss the unique challenges faced by these midshipmen in their new environment.

Rear Adm. Choi Yun-Hee, vice superintendent of the ROK Naval Academy, had just taken command the day before my arrival, and his introduction before my remarks was his first address to his midshipmen. That afternoon we visited ROK fleet ships, including the submarine Chang Bo Go and the newest Korean destroyers, during a tour of the naval port.