Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson visited Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples, Italy, Oct. 20, to meet with Sailors and answer questions at an all hands call during a scheduled visit to Europe.

This marked Richardson's first time visiting Naples since taking over as Chief of Naval Operations on Sept. 18. Since that time, he has conducted fleet engagements with service members and government officials throughout various regions where the U.S. Navy operates.

Quote:
"[Former CNO Adm. Jonathan] Greenert's tenets were warfighting first, operate forward, and be ready. Who can argue with that? Of course we are going to continue to operate forward. We will continue to develop our warfighting capability. We have to because that's why we exist."

"Warfighting is a human endeavor. It is about us trying to out think any potential enemy. So we have to continue to keep our people front and center in what we do. I look around this audience as I have looked at others as I've traveled, and the thing that strikes me is how talented and creative you are."

"I feel very deeply that our people are front and center. They are the heart and soul of what we do. All our good ideas originate with people. The execution of those ideas is done by people, so we need to take care of our people as well."
- Adm. John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations

Quick Facts:
* During the all hands call, Richardson addressed various topics, including:
o U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet's (CNE-CNA/C6F) expanding mission requirements in response to regional concerns throughout Europe and Africa
o The importance of keeping an open dialogue with maritime forces from both Russia and China, despite recent world events
o The impact that the European migrant crisis is having on naval operations throughout the region
o The great work that is being done every day by an intelligent, creative and professional fighting force

* Richardson answered questions from Naples-area Sailors about:
o Fleet readiness and manning concerns as the operation tempo increases in the CNE-CNA/C6F area of operations
o Deployment lengths
o The impact of budget constraints on the military
o Integrating personal technology such as smart devices into everyday operations

* As Chief of Naval Operations, Richardson is the senior military officer in the Department of the Navy. He is responsible to the Secretary of the Navy for the command, utilization of resources, and operating efficiency of the Navy's operating forces and shore activities.

* A member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Richardson is the principal naval adviser to the President and is the principal adviser and naval executive to the Secretary of the Navy on the conduct of activities within the Department of the Navy.

* U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, overseas and conducts, respectfully, the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.