U.S. Pacific Fleet Master Chief Suz Whitman visited Commander, Task Force 76 units in Sasebo, Feb. 13.

Whitman's visit coincided with Japan-wide tour to ensure maximum readiness of shipboard and shore Sailors throughout the fleet.

During her time in Sasebo, she visited Naval Beach Unit 7, Mine Countermeasures Squadron 7, crews from mine countermeasures ships USS Patriot (MCM 7), USS Pioneer (MCM 9), and USS Warrior (MCM 10), as well as the Sailor of the Year winners from Sasebo-based units. She also spent time with area first classes involved in the CPO 365 program and participated in a cultural tour of the Nagasaki Peace park with CPO 365 members from all four MCM ships, facilitated by Warrior's CPO 365.

Whitman emphasized the importance of maintaining a professional posture on and off the job during her talks with Sailors.

"This theater requires us to be operationally ready at all times," said Whitman. "We cannot afford to lose anyone to destructive behaviors. I challenge each of you to do your part, to look out for one another, to step up to avoid someone doing something that may endanger their career and their life."

Whitman fielded Sailors questions while visiting and shared with them the pace of operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet will not slow down.

"You all are at the tip of the spear," she said, "and you are being counted on to maintain the op tempo so that we can maintain stability out here."

Whitman will visit Sailors in Iwakuni, Atsugi, Misawa, and Yokosuka before heading back to Pacific Fleet headquarters in Hawaii.

Commander, Task Force 76/Expeditionary Strike Group 7 is the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force, headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan.

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For more news from Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/, www.facebook.com/AmphibForceC7F/ or http://twitter.com/amphib7flt.