May 2011 - Navy
By FLTCM Brad LeVault
Until the early 2000s, NAVY FORCES EUROPE was a large command of around a 1000 located in London, England, and SIXTH FLEET was equally as large and located in Gaeta, Italy. Then, they combined and moved to Naples, Italy, and started the staff for COMMANDER, NAVAL FORCES EUROPE and SIXTH FLEET. As well, the size of the staff was drasti- cally reduced to fewer than 500.
Now, fast forward to the late 2000s (2008 to be exact) and the stand-up of AFRICOM in Stuttgart, Germany, and, concurrently, the stand-up of Naval Forces Africa in, you guessed it, Naples, Italy. In keeping with the intent of a smaller US Navy footprint in Europe, the staff of NAVEUR and SIXTH FLEET absorbed the duties and responsibilities for NAVAL FORCES AFRICA (NAVAF), without adding a single new staff member.
So, as we stand today, NAVEUR, NAVAF and SIXTH FLEET are all one command, we are in Naples, we are responsible to the Navy and two COCOMS, and we remain less than 500 members, total. That is military and civilian combined. Compared to the other NAVAL FORCES Staffs and Numbered FLEETs we are very small. And before you start thinking that I am a whiner, let me say that this is not whining, this is boasting. Because we are awesome! Our tiny little staff packs a big punch and, even bigger capability.
Prior to 2009, our organization had a non-Prussian construct that was a bit confusing. After 2009, a standard N-code organization was reestablished; and since then, who-is-who-in-the-zoo is without question. We, also, have some of the finest leaders in the Navy; and with our small size, communicating intent and monitoring progress is quick
and accurate. As might be imagined, when a small staff has so many higher Headquarters, we stay busy.
On a yearly basis, the staff executes Flag Level staff talks with a dozen or so other countries. They run programs, to include the most successful US Navy program ever in Africa, Africa Partnership Station (APS). They track every Sailor on two continents, including being the soul point of contact for over 80 Personnel Exchange Program (PEP) and Students (OSEP) isolated in over a dozen countries. Every few years, the staff must earn a JTF qualification as well. But the largest piece of our time and effort is spent planning and coordinating, depending on the year, between 28 and 32 large scale exercises.
From operating with the South Africans in and around South Africa to sailing with the Russians in the Baltic Sea for the huge exercise BAL- TOPS, the staff of NAVEUR, NAVAF and SIXTH FLEET has command and control. These are major exercises that require thousands of hours of prepara- tion, coordination and travel. The movements involve sailing giant war ships from different countries within close proximity to each other or finding water mines, conducting small boat operations and, even, amphibious landings using a ship from one country and Marines from another, all coordi- nated by yet another country. It is nothing short of amazing and it all originates from a little group of dedi- cated professionals stationed in Bella Napoli.
But we are not just about planning and executing a bunch of exercises. Recently, we were Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn and a large part of our staff embarked on the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) to operate. When you
train as you fight, the transition from exercise to real-world mission can be seamless – this one was. JTF-OD communicated, planned, and led the mission without a mishap or stumble. The coordination between the JTF and the many Commanders and staffs all over the world was clear and concise. Well-informed orders were given, taken and carried out. Then, a detailed turnover went to the staff of the NATO Operation UNIFIED PROTEC- TOR when it took over responsibility for the Libya mission. You may have noticed – I am very proud of our team. They did, and continue to do, a great job for our Nation.
They didn’t get to this point by accident. Not only did NAVEU, NAVAF and SIXTH FLEET have a ton of expe- rience from all of the exercises, but also from a deep history of training like we fight. Next year, I will have spent 30 years in the Navy. I cannot remember a time when we were not committed to being prepared and effective in all we do. A commit- ment to training has always been there.
As a brand new Aircrewman in 1984, I learned to preflight an aircraft from a Vietnam Veteran who was as meticulous as he was demanding. To this day, I do everything, whether at work or home, with the same acute attention to detail from beginning to end that I learned on that hot ramp, one summer day 28 years ago. There are probably some reading this, who have a grin on their face thinking about the old shipmate they replaced, who passed on a piece of knowl- edge they still use, today, and chances are you passed the same knowledge on to the shipmate who replaced you. That is how it goes in the Navy.
To that grinning unknown shipmate, I say, thank you. Thank you for helping to make this command, NAVEUR, NAVAF and SIXTH FLEET so capable. The Navy has a commitment to passing on a legacy of dedication to training and you were a part of that. As well, I, just, saw that training “go operational” with JTF-OD and succeed and you were a part of that, too. So, rest assured, the legacy lives on. United States Sailors still, train like they fight, so when the fighting starts, the mission is successful and fewer lives are lost––and that is no accident.