Senior Leadership Summit Held Aboard USS Makin Island

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Terry L. Feeney, USS Makin Island Public Affairs

SAN FRANCISCO (NNS) -- A Senior Leadership Summit (SLS) was held aboard USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Oct. 7.

The summit focused on federal response capabilities to local and state requirements in the event of a major natural disaster in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"We are honored to be a part of San Francisco Fleet Week and to host the first Senior Leadership Summit," said Capt. Cedric Pringle, USS Makin Island executive officer. "This summit builds on lessons learned from past natural disasters and encourages joint operations in support of response and recovery."

This was a first for any San Francisco Fleet Week and offered an opportunity for senior Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard leaders to interact with local, state and regional leaders, to focus on disaster preparedness and response.

In attendance for SLS was former Secretary of State George Schulz; Nancy Ward, FEMA regional administrator; and various officials from the San Francisco Fire and Police departments, along with medical and relief organizations. In addition to the sea services, the U.S. Army and Air Force were also represented.

"SLS is a great step to solidify participation between local responders, and the multiple capabilities that the military brings to the table," said Joanne Hayes-White, Chief of Department for the San Francisco Fire Department. "This is an opportunity to establish relationships well before a natural disaster occurs."

Being ready to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the event of potential natural or man-made disasters is a core capability of the Sea Services Maritime Strategy. Doing so takes advantage of the fact that the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are a rapidly deployable, technologically advanced team that is poised for action in a variety of roles as part of our nation's joint force.

"Makin Island and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit team are perfectly suited to provide relief if required," said Pringle.

The SLS is just one new facet of San Francisco Fleet Week which recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of the sea services, past and present. Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are woven into the fabric of the community - as neighbors, volunteers and citizens actively working together to enhance the quality of life in the Bay Area.

USS Makin Island, the host ship for SLS, is the first United States Navy ship to be equipped with gas turbines and an electric drive system, replacing the older technology of steam boilers. With the ship's electric drive running, which is similar in functionality to that of a hybrid car, it is possible to transit longer distances using less fuel.

Additionally, Makin Island is the first U.S. Navy ship to have an advanced electrical plant that powers all of the ship's auxiliaries, including the capability to produce 200,000 gallons of fresh water every day.

Operated by a crew of more than 1,000 Sailors, Makin Island is a multi-mission platform that is equipped to meet the needs of our country, whether that is supporting national objectives or by providing disaster relief.

Makin Island's revolutionary technology is estimated to save the Navy $250 million throughout its 40-year lifecycle and is a model for future ship designs.

This article was sponsored by Police Books.