CNO Meets with Navy Families Displaced by Flooding in Millington

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Tiffini Jones Vanderwyst, Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs

May 5, 2010 - MILINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead visited Naval Support Activity Mid-South command to meet with Sailors and families affected by severe flooding and survey the damage to the base on May 3.

CNO was accompanied by Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Vice Adm. Mike Vitale. The Navy leaders got a firsthand look at the condition of the base and discussed the path ahead for the Sailors, Navy civilians and their families as they recover from the flooding that overtook the base Saturday, May 1.

CNO said the Sailors' and Navy civilians' swift reactions to the flooding ensured the safety of those who work and live on the base.

"I can't say enough about how prepared this base was and how responsive everyone who serves here was," said Roughead,. "First and foremost [to] safety, but then volunteering and making sure that everybody was taken care of."

During a town hall meeting with Sailors, families, volunteers and other base personnel, Roughead told those affected that the entire Navy is working to ensure they remain safe and cared for during the difficult time.

"I want to assure everyone here that the entire Navy is going to lean forward to make sure that we take care of your needs, that we meet the needs of your family and that we get the base restored and get your lives back to normal as soon as we possibly can," said Roughead.

Roughead also expressed the importance of a quick recovery due to the business of the Navy that takes place in Millington.

"There is a lot that goes on here that affects everybody [in the Navy]," said Roughead. "I also want to make sure everybody understands we are going to do everything necessary to get Millington and the Navy personnel system back in battery, back in business and back to serving the fleet."