Team, as satisfying as it was to see our forces successfully carry out the raid ordered by our Commander-in-Chief and bring final justice to the mass-murderer Osama bin Laden, we are still in the midst of a brutal global campaign against the Al Qaida terrorist organization and its many branches around the world.
I personally could not be more proud of the intelligence and special operations professionals who worked very hard for so long to carry out this raid. Our forces trained hard, prepared exhaustively, stayed focused and, when the call came in, they executed superbly (as they always do). These quiet professionals have proven time and again they are absolutely the best at what they do. We are truly honored to serve alongside them.
While Osama Bin Laden’s death is a very significant milestone in our fight against Al Qaida, it does not end it. Make no mistake about it, we are still at war, and our men and women are still in Afghanistan, and on many other battlefields, taking the fight to the enemy. And while the enemy may be weakened, they are not defeated. Al Qaida is still active and pursuing every opportunity to harm our nation and we must not let them succeed. Now is not the time to become complacent and relax our defenses. We must all remain vigilant.
Know your job in our current Force Protection Condition and be sure your shipmates know theirs. Our goal is to present hard targets to our enemies and make them realize they cannot attack our ships, bases and air stations with impunity. Our task to secure the homeland goes 24/7/365, just as our Navy is forward deployed around the clock, around the globe. We are ALWAYS on the job.
All the best, JCHjr
03 May 2011
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Admiral - when the next one comes, there will undoubtedly be mass confusion, particularly if it is at a shore station. Why? Because there will be too many "cooks in the stew?" Local civil authorities will respond; FBI, FEMA and other Federal agencies will respond; military authorities will assume they are in charge only to learn that they will suddenly have more "help" than they ever expected and they may in fact NOT be in charge; other Federal agencies will also want to get involved; and, lastly, the news media will be everywhere. The base commander will assume he/she is the On Scene Commander only to learn that it really depends on the type, location, and size of the incident. My point: we need to (if we have not done so already) establish and practice a protocol matrix that lays out in detail examples of specific incidents, who has responsibility to respond, who assumes the role of On Scene Commander, who (and what agencies or other military activities) takes on a supporting role, and identifies specific required actions based on type and location of incident, mass casualties, etc. We also need to develop a standard and well equipped operations center for each of our major shore installations with communications equipment (including a mobile command center) and watch stations/trained personnel capable of interoperating with higher authorities, civil authorities and other Federal, law and fire agencies; and, lastly, we need to do at least semi annual exercises and drills with these stations so they can develop the skills and experience needed to be able to respond appropriately if and when the need arises. It should be no different from a practiced "General Quarters" at sea with different scenarios being thrown at the Repair Lockers. With best regards, Captain Hart
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