Posted by Laura Rehrmann on Feb 19, 2020
President-elect Jeff Borek kicked off the meeting with a rousing Star-Spangled Banner led by Don Murphy accompanied by Mike O’Brien, a fitting opening for our main speaker, Rear Admiral Scott Gray, Commander of Navy Region Northwest. 
 
Rabbi Daniel Weiner prayed for the “welfare of those who secure our freedoms upon the sea” in an eloquent opening inspiration emphasizing a tale from his Jewish tradition.  “When a boat is named and launched, everyone rejoices and is happy.  But there is even more joy when a ship, having weathered the storms and sailed past all the sea’s dangers, comes safely back to port.”
 
Jimmy Collins, who currently serves as the civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army in Washington State, introduced Rear Admiral Scott Gray who outlined the challenges of new international threats, a budget that does not cover all the demands, and the need for our community to know more about the Navy operations in the Northwest.
 
First, a few facts:  90% of global commerce is by sea; 26% of jobs in the US are linked to global commerce; 70% of the earth is covered in water; 26% of US manufacturing jobs are in export; and 22% of US agricultural products go overseas.  The safety and security of the seas is essential to the well-being of all countries.
 
He outlined current challenges including China’s economic growth resulting in an economy that will soon surpass the US.  China has drawn lines around the China Sea posing a potential threat to global commerce.  Russia seized Crimea in 2014; Iran is promoting terrorism in its region; and North Korea’s has aggressive military ambitions.  Added to these are new threats including cyber-attacks that could take down the power grid for months resulting in far more than just a computer that won’t boot up, but water and air conditioning losses that would threaten lives.
 
There are high operational demands that are affecting ships, Navy personnel, and families at home.  In 1993 the Navy had 454 ships in operation.  Today there are 292 with 100 of those deployed around the world at any one time.  The ships are logging 80,000 miles a year, wearing out the ships more quickly.  Fewer ships mean longer tours of duty which are hard on Navy personnel and their families at home.
 
Commander Gray briefed us on the operational capabilities the Navy provided.  Two aircraft carriers are stationed in Puget Sound.  The Navy has EA-18G Growlers which he said are critical to fight and win in the future.  The Growlers support all the military services.  The MH-60 Search and Rescue helicopter is used every week in the region for mountain and sea rescues.  There are guided-missile destroyers and a ballistic missile submarine stationed in Bremerton.   Attack submarines are tested and maintained in Kitsap also.  Navy SEAL training is conducted here because of our cold water and the variety of terrains and depths in our waters.
 
With major installations in Everett, Whidbey Island, Kitsap, and Indian Island, the Navy creates $11 billion in economic activity annually.  Because there are groups that, according to him, are spreading misinformation about the Navy’s training and operations, he wanted us to hear directly from him and asked that if we have questions or hear comments, we call the Navy to get clear information.  Currently, the Navy has less than 1% of the vessel traffic in our region and less than 7% of the total air traffic.  The EA-18G Growlers have few options to reduce noise, a complaint of residents, particularly on Whidbey Island.  Population growth in the region has moved closer to the base, a factor of regional growth.  He did tell us that the number of Growler aircraft has been reduced and their airspace infringes on only 10% of the Olympic National Forest.
 
With $1.1 billion worth of backlog on facilities in our region and a budget focused on only about 12% of that, the Navy is looking at ways to be more efficient.  For example, in partnership with Puget Sound Energy, they are planning to provide property to PSE to build a new plant and the Navy gets the power needed on their site, while PSE can use the excess energy created to sell to other customers.
 
Balancing the Navy’s mission and environmental stewardship is ongoing.  The Navy is a world leader in marine species research and they are on course to invest $100 million in easements that serve the Navy and protect the environment.  The Navy engages in community service, medical emergencies and community clean-ups.  In fact, Naval Base Kitsap is on the list to receive up to 20 patients suffering from coronavirus, although the commander’s sense is that this threat may be declining.
 
He remarked that the Naval recruits, the ‘kids” he said, are as good as we have ever seen.  Provide them with challenges and opportunities and they are hardworking and step up to leadership.  He said that it is our citizen responsibility to train them and make sure they are safe. 
 
As he spoke about the recruits a slide of five naval personnel was the backdrop.  The air went out of the room when he said that these five have lost their lives in service and the enormity of their sacrifice settled on the room.
 
What’s ahead for the Navy in the Northwest region?  Innovation and increased efficiencies are underway to modernize ships, submarines, and aircraft carriers.  The future of Naval Station Everett must be determined. They plan to build a bigger fleet by adding 62 ships and focus on maritime superiority and partnerships with our allies.
 
“As we pray for the welfare of those who secure our freedoms upon the seas, so too do we hope that our voyages and those of the inhabitants of the world in which we live, will always return to the warmth and nurture of a secure port,” Rabbi Wiener said as our meeting opened. It was a fitting opening and ending to our meeting.  

Thank you Totem Reporter Laura Rehrmann

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