thedrifter
05-17-07, 05:03 AM
Navy secretary highlights Miramar's significance during San Diego visit
Wed May 16, 9:56 PM ET
In town for a brief visit this week, the secretary of the Navy reiterated Miramar's importance to the military, touted the opening of a local medical center and reported on the optimism of American troops.
While addressing a meeting of the San Diego Military Advisory Council Wednesday, Donald Winter was asked about a report from a local group that suggests the military will leave Marines Corps Air Station Miramar in the future.
"I hope we can get the message out that Miramar is now and will forever be critical to the support of our Navy and Marine Corps, both here in San Diego and worldwide," he said. "I couldn't imagine how in the world we ever could give it up. The fact of the matter is, as we have gone through successive BRACs (base realignment and closure rounds), we have truly lost the elasticity (with) the facilities that are available both to the Navy and the Marine Corps."
According to the April meeting minutes of The Alliance in Support of Airport Progress in the 21st Century (ASAP21), "The government admits that the long range plan is to abandon Miramar."
Winter said he has no idea where that notion came from.
"There are no plans whatsoever," he said. "This is not a momentary issue associated with an activity in Iraq. This is a need to be able to provide security for our nation in the long term.
"We have, in many aspects, taken on more and more difficult issues, more globally based, than we did during the Cold War, and yet over the years we have lost so many of the facilities. We can't go away from the West Coast of the United States."
Addressing another hot-button topic, Winter said the current plans to redevelop the Navy Broadway complex are a win-win proposal.
"It will provide a modern, up-to-date facility that the Navy can use and can be leased out to other partners," he said. "That business arrangement enables us to have a modern facility that our personnel can use and pays for (itself)."
Winter also spoke of the Navy's priority to take care of the country's wounded warriors. One way that will be accomplished is through the Comprehensive Combat Casualty Care Center (C5), which is scheduled to open in August at the Naval Medical Center in Balboa. It will be used to support amputees and those wounded who have prosthetic fitting needs.
C5 officials will work in conjunction with the prosthetic department at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. A personnel exchange between the facilities already is taking place.
"We want to develop further the capability providing service and support to our wounded warriors right here locally," Winter said.
In talking about the operational future of the Navy, Winter said the branch is committed to building back the fleet to 313 ships.
San Diego will soon be welcoming two submarines, according to the secretary. The Hampton will be moving in from Norfolk, Va., later this year, while the Albuquerque will be transferring from Connecticut in 2008.
He also said the Navy's objective is to get the first three Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) to San Diego, and the military is working with General Dynamics to develop two of the vessels.
While in town Wednesday, Winter visited a Swedish submarine, which is staying in San Diego as part of an exchange program between the two navies.
Winter also remarked on the high spirit of American troops worldwide.
"There is nothing that gives me more hope and optimism for the future than being able to just break bread and sit down and talk with these great, great men and women," he said. "I will tell you that they are far more optimistic about what they are doing and their ability to make a difference."
During his visits to bases during the past year-and-a-half he's served as secretary, Winter said he's heard one recurring theme.
"We want to finish our job and come home -- but we want to do it in that order," he said.
Ellie
Wed May 16, 9:56 PM ET
In town for a brief visit this week, the secretary of the Navy reiterated Miramar's importance to the military, touted the opening of a local medical center and reported on the optimism of American troops.
While addressing a meeting of the San Diego Military Advisory Council Wednesday, Donald Winter was asked about a report from a local group that suggests the military will leave Marines Corps Air Station Miramar in the future.
"I hope we can get the message out that Miramar is now and will forever be critical to the support of our Navy and Marine Corps, both here in San Diego and worldwide," he said. "I couldn't imagine how in the world we ever could give it up. The fact of the matter is, as we have gone through successive BRACs (base realignment and closure rounds), we have truly lost the elasticity (with) the facilities that are available both to the Navy and the Marine Corps."
According to the April meeting minutes of The Alliance in Support of Airport Progress in the 21st Century (ASAP21), "The government admits that the long range plan is to abandon Miramar."
Winter said he has no idea where that notion came from.
"There are no plans whatsoever," he said. "This is not a momentary issue associated with an activity in Iraq. This is a need to be able to provide security for our nation in the long term.
"We have, in many aspects, taken on more and more difficult issues, more globally based, than we did during the Cold War, and yet over the years we have lost so many of the facilities. We can't go away from the West Coast of the United States."
Addressing another hot-button topic, Winter said the current plans to redevelop the Navy Broadway complex are a win-win proposal.
"It will provide a modern, up-to-date facility that the Navy can use and can be leased out to other partners," he said. "That business arrangement enables us to have a modern facility that our personnel can use and pays for (itself)."
Winter also spoke of the Navy's priority to take care of the country's wounded warriors. One way that will be accomplished is through the Comprehensive Combat Casualty Care Center (C5), which is scheduled to open in August at the Naval Medical Center in Balboa. It will be used to support amputees and those wounded who have prosthetic fitting needs.
C5 officials will work in conjunction with the prosthetic department at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. A personnel exchange between the facilities already is taking place.
"We want to develop further the capability providing service and support to our wounded warriors right here locally," Winter said.
In talking about the operational future of the Navy, Winter said the branch is committed to building back the fleet to 313 ships.
San Diego will soon be welcoming two submarines, according to the secretary. The Hampton will be moving in from Norfolk, Va., later this year, while the Albuquerque will be transferring from Connecticut in 2008.
He also said the Navy's objective is to get the first three Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) to San Diego, and the military is working with General Dynamics to develop two of the vessels.
While in town Wednesday, Winter visited a Swedish submarine, which is staying in San Diego as part of an exchange program between the two navies.
Winter also remarked on the high spirit of American troops worldwide.
"There is nothing that gives me more hope and optimism for the future than being able to just break bread and sit down and talk with these great, great men and women," he said. "I will tell you that they are far more optimistic about what they are doing and their ability to make a difference."
During his visits to bases during the past year-and-a-half he's served as secretary, Winter said he's heard one recurring theme.
"We want to finish our job and come home -- but we want to do it in that order," he said.
Ellie