By Bill Doughty, Navy Region Hawaii
Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The commander of
Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, is back at work June
18 after four days of community partnership-building in his home state of
Alabama.
Rear Adm. Frank Ponds' visit to Selma,
Birmingham, Montgomery and Tuskegee was part of the Navy's 50 flag officers in
50 states community outreach initiative.
Ponds met with mayors, business leaders
and educators. He visited the Birmingham VA Medical Center, the Birmingham
Civil Rights Institute, University of Alabama and Tuskegee University, and he
spoke to Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary clubs about the Navy's mission of protecting
commerce on the world's oceans.
Millions of tons of cargo are shipped
through the Alabama State Port Authority each year to more than 175 locations
worldwide. More than 100,000 jobs in the state are linked directly to trade.
"Alabama is important to the Navy
and the Navy is important to Alabama," said Ponds.
His message to each group included the
CNO's sailing directions, Navy's commitment to renewable energy and other
global issues and how they related locally.
"I spoke about what the Navy is
doing, especially in the Pacific, as a global force for good - in partnership
building, maritime security and humanitarian/civic assistance support, such as
Pacific Partnership. The partnerships we build help us promote understanding
and cooperation that ultimately helps businesses in Alabama."
Ponds also spoke about the context and
consequences of the War of 1812 (200 years ago this year) and Battle of Midway
(70 years ago this month), two pivotal events that shaped the Navy and the
nation.
He engaged with school administrators,
educators and students at various levels.
At Tuskegee University, Ponds met with
professors and students at the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences.
"I showed him the work we have with
the Navy and some other research related to STEM - science, technology,
engineering and mathematics," said professor and Associate Dean Heshmat
Aglan. "The admiral met with PHD students and also high school students
who are part of our program."
"We had very fruitful discussions,
and we hope we can develop an even greater partnership with the Navy,"
Aglan said.
Ponds stopped at Birmingham's Horizons
School, whose mission statement reads, "preparing young adults with
learning difficulties for an independent life."
"Our students were very
impressed," said school director Dr. Jade Carter. "What Admiral Ponds
was able to do was give concrete specifics about very global concepts - and
they got it. Rarely is someone so able to communicate a global message in a way
that students can really connect with."
At a Kiwanis Club talk, he spoke about
Navy's importance and relevance to Alabama.
John "Lex" Williamson Jr.,
youth scholarship committee chairman for the Boys and Girls Club of Central
Alabama, sent an email to Ponds after the talk.
"As you know, Alabama has a long
history of leadership in the Navy," Williamson wrote. "My father,
from Birmingham, retired as a captain, but was the creator of the Williamson
Turn while at sub chaser training school in Miami in the early 40s. He was also
the executive officer on the USS England which sank six Japanese submarines in
12 days in the Pacific. I am bragging, but he would have enjoyed your
representing the Navy."
During his visit June 11-14 Ponds gave
several media interviews and spoke about the people who comprise today's Navy.
"Right now, we have the most highly
educated, highly trained and highly patriotic individuals serving as we have
ever had in the history of this country," he said. "The generation
that is serving today are a fabulous bunch. And their families are committed to
that service as well."
Ponds credited his Alabama roots for his
work ethic, family values and commitment to service.
Ponds was raised in western Autauga
County. He graduated from Autaugaville High School in 1977 and earned a
Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama in 1982. He received
his commission from Officer Candidate School in 1983.
From his office window at Joint Base
Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Ponds can look at his eleven surface warships that
comprise Commander Naval Surface Group, Middle Pacific. Dozens of ships will be
arriving next week for the Rim of the Pacific exercise, which starts June 29.
As Commander Navy Region Hawaii, where
he leads more than 3,200 civilian and military personnel, Ponds provides
support at JBPHH on Oahu and Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai to units
assigned to Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, providing readiness support that
enables warfighters to operate forward.
For more information, visit www.navy.mil,
www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.
For more news from Commander, Navy
Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.
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