“We’re not the prettiest trying group, however we’re dynamite when the music begins enjoying.”
That is what Frank Wareham III, chief mate of the dry cargo ship USNS Carl Brashear, advised Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III throughout a go to to the women and men who work to make doable U.S. energy projection.
Austin met the service members and civilian mariners whose work retains the worldwide sea and air lanes open throughout a cease at Singapore’s Sembawang Naval Base.
The navy members come from all companies and work alongside allies and regional companions, and Austin known as them “the unsung heroes” of America’s Indo-Pacific technique.
The Carl Brashear is one among greater than 40 ships that replenish and refuel U.S. Navy ships at sea. Additionally they stand by to assist in catastrophe help and humanitarian operations.
The secretary thanked the assembled Protection Division personnel for his or her professionalism and famous the significance of logistics in all operations. The USA has worldwide attain due to the efforts of small detachments like theirs. “We do it properly due to you,” he mentioned to them.
The secretary additionally pointed to the significance of logistical assist to counter the Russian invasion of Ukraine for example of their significance. Russian logistics shortfalls led to the failure of their operation to seize Kyiv, he advised them. Now, the battle within the Donbas requires logistical assist to maintain the Ukrainian forces provided with arms and ammunition.
He additionally famous that in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, the place he was an assistant division commander behind the third Infantry Division, there have been logistics models making certain the availability to the gasoline, meals and ammunition wanted to succeed.
In reply to a query from the secretary, Wareham talked about life aboard the Brashear at sea. “If you end up cruising at 13 knots, and there’s a provider on one aspect and a destroyer on the opposite, we’re hitting on all cylinders,” he mentioned, noting that the ship has resupplied U.S. Navy vessels within the fifth Fleet space of operations in addition to the seventh Fleet.
Earlier than taking footage with the service members and mariners, Austin mentioned “we would not achieve success with out you.”
