Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus visited U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples, April 13, on the last stop of a 12-day tour of several U.S. commands throughout Europe and the Pacific.

Mabus met with U.S. 6th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. James G. Foggo III and conducted an all-hands call with Sailors and Marines and thanked them for all their hard work.

SECNAV Quotes:
On the Mission: "What the Navy and the Marine Corps give to our country is presence; being in the right place at the right time and being in the right place all the time. We are so much more agile and so much more versatile than any other force out there."

On Sailors: "All of you are the face of America. The work you do here, I can't overstate the importance of it. It is not easy to wear the uniform. We ask and we expect a lot from you, and we have never been disappointed. We push responsibility further and faster than another other organization on Earth. This is the most formidable expeditionary fighting force the world has ever known and it's up to all of us to keep it that way."

- Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy

Quick Facts:
During the all-hands call, Mabus discussed several topics, including the Navy and Marine Corps' inherent flexibility and adaptability which is a result of dedicated service members working together.

Mabus stated Navy's global security contribution comes from people, platforms, power and partnerships. The people are better trained, educated and more skilled than any naval force in history. Platforms will grow over the next five years as the Navy looks to increase the number of ships deployed throughout the world, helping to maintain the presence of a powerful fleet. Partnerships around the world, with NATO allies and regional partners, are important to maintaining interoperability and a forward presence.

Mabus also discussed improvements to deployment lengths and benefits and combating sexual assault.

Mabus took questions from Sailors who were concerned about cyber security defense, possible retirement benefit changes, renewable resource requirements for fleet assets and the world's perception of the U.S. maritime defense strategy.

Mabus visited the base as part of a multi-nation trip to the U.S. Pacific and European theaters to meet with military and civilian leaders and Sailors and Marines.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, join, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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