Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy) Joe Bryan visited six Hampton Roads-area commands Monday, Oct. 19, to present 2015 Secretary of the Navy Energy and Water Management awards to several commands and squadrons.

Commands receiving awards included Naval Air Station Oceana; Strike Fighter Squadron 131 (VFA-131); Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124 (VAW-124); Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40); Naval Station Norfolk and USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19).

During his visit, Bryan emphasized that energy efficiency within the Navy is about increasing combat effectiveness.

"People talk a lot about the more energy you can save, the more money you can save, and that is a good thing," Bryan said. "People also talk about being good stewards of the environment, and we want to make sure we are always doing that. But the primary mission of our energy program isn't focused on those benefits... it's really about getting the most mission capability out of every kilowatt hour of electricity or every gallon of fuel.

"We want to be able to go further on a tank of gas, we want to be able to stay there longer and we want to be able to deliver more firepower while we're on station. On the shore side, we want to be more efficient and more resilient and reliable with our power systems so that we can support the mission, because our shore installations are what enable our forward operations."

Capt. Lou Schager, NAS Oceana Commanding Officer, indicated his command is committed to meeting the Navy's energy efficiency goals.

"We're always forward-leaning and looking for opportunities to be more energy efficient," he said. "Whether it's as simple as having Sailors turn off their lights and computers before they go home at night, or large-scale renewable energy projects such as solar, or ground source heat pump opportunities, or using the effluent from the Hampton Roads Sanitation Department as a heat sink like we do at Dam Neck Annex - from big to small, we know everything matters."

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Capt. Nicholas Dienna, Commanding Officer of Mesa Verde, indicated his entire crew is committed to energy efficiency.

"Mesa Verde is proud to have received this recognition," he said. "Energy management and conservation is not only environmentally responsible and fiscally sensible, but is also a warfighting imperative. And, it's an all hands effort. Secretary Bryan's visit brought those ideas home very visibly for the entire crew."

"Since the transition from sail, the U.S. Navy has been on the cutting edge of developing and implementing new technologies to ensure global access and operational flexibility," he continued. "Recognition as a SECNAV Energy award winner highlights the value of those concepts to every man and woman on board Mesa Verde. And, at the end of the day, responsible energy use is really just the right thing to do. We're all extremely proud to be a part of that heritage."

"Naval Station Norfolk's selection for this honor reflects the hard work, commitment and dedication of all commands and personnel on the base to energy conservation," said Capt. Doug Beaver, Naval Station Norfolk Commanding Officer. "Additionally, our Public Works energy team is devoted to executing an aggressive energy conservation program. They did a tremendous job leading the way with innovative solutions and a passionate focus on the efficient management of our resources to support the warfighter. I could not be prouder of the entire Naval Station Norfolk team."

The Department of the Navy's Energy and Water Management Awards Program is designed to promote and reward excellence in the areas of energy efficiency, energy management, new technology, renewable energy, energy training innovation, and energy awareness.

President Obama has proclaimed October 2015 to be Energy Action Month. For the Navy and Marine Corps, Energy Action Month is an opportunity to reinforce how critical energy is to mission accomplishment and to encourage Sailors and Marines to look for ways to optimize their energy use to boost warfighting capabilities.

Bryan indicated the showing by commands in the Hampton Roads region in this year's award program was impressive, and indicative that the message is resonating with Hampton Roads Sailors.

"It's really amazing," he said. "You have a concentration of award winners here in the Hampton Roads area that is maybe unmatched across the Navy. It shows that you have leaders who are making it a point to say that energy is important to our mission and that message is getting across to the deckplate Sailors, who are trying to come up with innovative ways to improve energy use and get more mission out of every ounce of energy that they use.

"This commitment is helping the Hampton Roads region be among the most successful in the country, and that commitment is reflected in this year's awards."

For more news from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, visit www.navy.mil/.