Commander, Navy Installations Command Talks Money, Mission with Naval Station Rota

June 25, 2012 Chief Mass Communication Speicialist Mikel Bookwalter, Naval Station Rota, Spain Public Affairs / NNS  - defpro.com

ROTA, Spain | The commander of U.S. Navy Installations Command visited Naval Station Rota, Spain, June 22, to look at base operations and check on-the-ground progress toward homeporting four U.S. Navy destroyers here as forward deployed naval forces (FDNF) by 2015.

During Vice Adm. William D. French's visit, he expressed the value he sees in NS Rota, the importance of the current and growing missions here and the need for Rota's help in the Navy-wide effort to develop more efficient means of executing missions.

French said that Rota embodies the three key principles of the Chief of Naval Operation's Sailing Directions of warfighting first, operating forward and being ready.

"I think you guys are the crux of all three of those things," said French, during a meeting with base leadership and staff. "You are certainly forward, you are certainly part of our readiness, and you are certainly part of what makes warfighting possible in this area of responsibility ... and the four guided-missile destroyers we're bringing here will even magnify what Rota brings to the fight and to the table."

Although Rota is growing operationally with the addition of the four ships by 2015, French highlighted the need for the Navy, at all levels, to continue to develop more efficient means to execute missions while remaining effective.

"I'm really here to walk around today to look around and see the things that you guys need and where can we help you," said French.

CNIC is looking to boost efficiencies in an effort to bridge a $500 million gap in its budget by 2014, French said. "How ever you can help us contribute to that, whether it's figuring out how to conduct port operations more efficiently, air ops more efficiently; whether it's figuring out how to deliver moral, welfare and recreation services more efficiently, that's really what we're looking at."

One goal of this tour of installations is to take note of best practices and to share them across the CNIC enterprise so everyone can benefit, said French.

The visit to NS Rota is part of a multi-nation tour, which includes installations in several European and Central Asian countries.

CNIC's mission is to enable the Navy's Operating Concept through enterprise alignment of all shore installation support to the fleet, fighter and family.