Mayport Sailors, enlisted and officer alike, crowded into the hangar bay of USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) to hear what the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark had to say. Photo courtesy of USS John F. Kennedy Public Affairs

CNO visits area bases
Adm. Clark huddles with Sailors aboard 'Big John'

USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) - Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Vern Clark visited USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Nov. 13 to speak with Mayport Naval Station leadership and Sailors. He visited NAS Jacksonville on the next day to meet with base leaders.

Kennedy is one of many military stops during Clark's two-day visit on board Naval Station Mayport and Naval Air Station Jacksonville. During an All Hands call on board Kennedy, Clark spoke to more than 4,000 Sailors, representing the carrier and cruisers, frigates and destroyers homeported in Mayport including USS Spruance (DD 963), which was formerly commanded by the CNO.

Clark invited the Sailors to huddle around the raised platform from which he spoke and talked openly about the current world situation.

He said, ''We are at war,'' and used the opportunity to impress upon Sailors their role in anti-terrorism. He reflected, not only on Sept. 11, but also on Oct. 12, 2000, the date of the terrorist attack on USS Cole. He compared the current conflict to Operation Desert Storm, saying this is not going to be an easy victory.

Adm. Vern Clark, CNO, praises a Sailor for being part of the Kennedy's crew. Clark honored all of the Sailors present, saying, "We need you. Thank you." Photo courtesy of USS John F. Kennedy Public Affairs

''This will not be over in 100 days,'' he said. ''It's going to take the determination of the people of America and all of our Sailors.'' For that reason, he implored anyone in a leadership role to tell their people what they expect of them. He also told the huddled throng to sit down with their families and explain what's expected of them as well.

CNO explained that President Bush had told the American people that the U.S. military will put ''terrorism on the run.'' And, CNO explained, Naval forces are perfectly suited to route out terrorism because of the inherent flexibility of our forces.

Clark also told Sailors about attending the Joint Session of Congress on Sept. 20, 2001, when President Bush looked at the Joint Chiefs of Staff and said, ''To the military, 'Be ready'.'' And Clark proclaimed, ''We are ready!''

He continued by acknowledging the necessity of the men and women who make up the naval services by saying, ''We need you. Thank you for what you are doing.''

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark meets senior enlisted leaders during a breakfast at the NAS Jacksonville Galley Nov. 14. Clark visited the Jacksonville area to hold leadership calls at NAS Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport. Photo by JO2 Mike Jones

When Clark opened the floor to questions, concerns were raised, not about the ship's upcoming activities, but about their future as Sailors. When the question was asked concerning education, Clark said this was one of the most important questions anyone could pose.

''Education is my priority for year two,'' he said. ''I want to deliver opportunity to every Sailor in the Navy. We are going to be a high-tech training organization.'' This is not going to happen immediately, he continued, but he said he has assembled a task force to bring this much-needed resource to the Navy's Sailors.

After the All Hands Call, Clark held a press conference in which he praised Sailor's performance and provided an update on the war against terrorism. ''We have achieved air superiority,'' Clark said. ''We own the day and we own the night.''

Following the press conference, Clark had a private meeting with Command Master Chiefs in the Mayport area followed by a meeting with all Commanding Officers in the area.

''CNO stopping by to pulse us here in the fleet was invaluable to the crew of Big John,'' said Capt. Maurice Joyce, commanding officer of Kennedy. ''His visit has confirmed for our young Sailors and officers (average age of 23 aboard big John) that the war on terrorism is not near over, and that the American people are counting on us to be ready when called.''

''The carrier battle group has the ability has the agility to respond globally, and we will.''