Military Leaders Talk Seapower Strategy at SAS Expo

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dustin Knight, Defense Media Activity

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (NNS) -- Leaders from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard held a roundtable discussion about "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower" at the 2015 Sea-Air-Space Exposition, April 13.

Rear Adm. Kevin M. Donegan, acting deputy chief of naval operations, Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, deputy commandant of the Marines, and Coast Guard Vice Adm. Charles D. Michel, deputy commandant for operations, held the discussion. They explained revisions made to the original 2007 document focused on building on the United States' relationships with allies and partners, preventing wars, and providing our nation's leaders with options in times of emergency.

"There has been some discussion on why we have revised the strategy," said Donegan. "The challenges that we faced in 2007 have evolved since we wrote the last strategy. When we were in 2007 looking forward, as with always when you look to the future, you get some things right and some other things happen in a different way."

Donegan went on to discuss the mission of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

"Our emphasis is being where it matters when it matters; our emphasis is forward presence," Donegan said. "We are forward to do something, to engage with our partners and allies and build trust. We are forward to deter potential aggression. We're there to respond to crisis when need be and, if necessary, fight and win a war with joint forces. That fundamental piece of being where it matters when it matters has not changed and was foundational in our previous strategy."

Naval forces operate forward in support of trade that allows for economic growth. Ninety percent of trade moves across the world's oceans. In addition, 70 percent of the world's population lives near a coastline and most maritime professions such as fishing, commercial shipping and oil and gas extractions take place within 200 miles of a coastline.

"We think this strategy is a strategy that the American people expect of our Navy," said Donegan. "They're going to continue to rely on the sea services to respond to the complex changes in the world. Most importantly they expect us to be the services that are the insurance policy that guarantees our way of life in the United States."