Both a senior and junior officer assigned to Destroyer Squadron 7 were recently recognized by the Navy League of the United States for inspirational leadership and operational competence.

Capt. Fred Kacher, commodore, DESRON 7, was recognized as the 2015 recipient of the John Paul Jones Award for inspirational leadership. Named after the U.S. Navy's founding father, the award is given annually to a Navy officer who has made an outstanding contribution to the high standards of leadership traditional in the naval service.

Also recognized was Capt Kacher's operations officer, Lt. Doug Robb, as the 2015 recipient of the Stephen Decatur Award for operational competence.

Named after the hero of the Barbary Wars, the award is given to a Navy officer or enlisted service member who has made an outstanding personal contribution in the course of actual naval operations that has advanced the readiness and competence of the naval service.

"It comes as no surprise to me that the Navy League selected these two officers for these prestigious awards," said Rear Adm. Charlie Williams, commander, Task Force (CTF) 73. "And the fact that their good work is recognized all the way from Singapore to Washington D.C. speaks to the tremendous operational impact DESRON 7 is making in support of Navy's mission throughout 7th Fleet and the region."

The non-profit Navy League organization, created primarily to inform the general public about the importance of American sea power to national security, presents leadership awards annually at events around the country.

The Navy League also serves as a major support structure for the people of the sea services and their families

"I'm humbled and grateful to be selected for the 2015 John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership," said Kacher. "Simply put, this would not have been possible without the superb leadership environment Admiral Charlie Williams has fostered at CTF-73 and the extraordinary quality of our Sailors at Destroyer Squadron 7. They represent our Navy's best and brightest and it's been an absolute privilege leading the DESRON 7 Team in one of the most dynamic maritime regions in the world, Southeast Asia."

Both awards date back to 1957 and will be presented during the Navy League National Convention in Tampa, Florida, from June 16-21.

"It's an honor to be recognized as the 2015 winner of the Stephen Decatur award for operational competence," said Robb. "A student is shaped by his teachers and this award is a testament to the friends and shipmates I've learned from over the past year both in my last ship, the USS Kidd (DDG 100), and forward-deployed to Southeast Asia with DESRON 7."

DESRON 7 joined U.S. 7th Fleet's forward deployed naval forces in late 2012, operating primarily throughout Southeast Asia in support of America's Rebalance to the Indo-Asia-Pacific. In addition to participation in regional exercises such as Foal Eagle and Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore.

CTF 73 is U.S. 7th Fleet's combat logistics and maintenance agent, supporting ships, aircraft and personnel throughout the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). CTF-73 also conducts theater security cooperation (TSC) activities in South and Southeast Asia, such as the annual naval exercise series, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), the Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) Vietnam, and the multilateral exercise Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT). As part of the LCS-to-Singapore rotational deployment initiative, CTF-73 exercises operational control (OPCON) of littoral combat ships on behalf of U.S. 7th Fleet.

For more news from Commander, Task Force 73, visit www.navy.mil/.