US Military Officials Speak About Forward Presence

Leading officials from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard spoke about operating forward and being partners with global presence at the 2014 Navy League Sea-Air-Space Exposition at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., April 7.

The Sea-Air-Space Expo is an annual event that brings together key military decision makers, the U.S. defense industrial base and private-sector U.S. companies for an innovative and educational maritime based event.

Vice Adm. Michelle Howard, deputy chief of naval operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy, delivered opening remarks.

"It's my pleasure to sit with such a group of, not just distinguished panelists, but in many cases good friends," said Howard. "The Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are partners that share a responsibility to safeguard the nation, sustain global engagement, project U.S. influence, and deter future conflict."

Vice Adm. Tom Copeman, commander, Naval Surface Forces Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, spoke about surface ships and the importance of operating forward.

"Surface ships, which I'm the surface boss, we're about 73 percent of the commissioned ships in the Navy," said Copeman. "We make up the vast majority of the forward presence that we talk about and I think we're key in developing partnerships."

"If you're not out and about, if you're not deployed, you can't be where it matters, when it matters," said Copeman.

The 2014 Sea-Air-Space features more than 175 industry exhibits, opportunities to learn about and test advanced military equipment, professional development sessions, and daily exhibit hall floor speaker sessions.

The Sea-Air-Space Expo is free and open to active duty, Reserve and retired military, federal and state government employees, members of Congress and their staff, and Navy League members.