Service members from various countries visited Naval Station Everett to get a glimpse of Navy Region Northwest as well
as see what the newest base in the U.S. Navy’s fleet has to offer, May 19.
The group was composed of representatives from Argentina, Germany and as far away as Singapore to see quality of life
of regional personnel, a training exercise and what the Sailors of the Pacific Northwest do on a day-to-day basis.
The visitors were able to hear about the changes the U.S. Navy has undergone to improve its capabilities in alignment with
warfighting in the 21st Century and what the role of foreign navies are in accomplishing their mission.
“About two years ago, the previous Chief of Naval Operations realized that because of the way that things have changed
throughout the past 15 years or so, our operations had to enter full-bore, certainly after the way things changed after 9/11,”
said Rear Adm. James Symonds, commander, Navy Region Northwest. “Helping people around the world is a lot of what Sailors,
Marines and Coast Guardsmen do. This is one of the big differences in the new Maritime Strategy; we’re partnering with other
navies to secure the seas.”
Symonds said along with defending freedom, another important facet of the strategy is humanitarian assistance and expressed
how vital this is to world security. He also spoke about the essential role of the Sailors not only in Navy Region Northwest, but
throughout the fleet.
“In 1990, there were more than 500,000 active duty Sailors, but as of a couple of weeks ago, we are at 330,000,” said Symonds.
“Seattle and Tacoma make up the 11th largest port complex in the world and there is a connection, which is our Navy’s capabilities
and the freedom of seas.”
The attachés also saw some of the training various departments within the region receive to enhance performance as well as on shore.
“It’s important we get together and share a few ideas during peacetime,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jason O’Keefe, of Naval
Station Everett. “It was good to show our allies how we train and house our Sailors and maybe they take what they learn and improve
some of their programs as well.”
Some of the attachés were impressed by not only the presentation of the base, but Navy life overall.
“The purpose of this visit was to get oriented with Navy life,” said Col. Andrej Gorzynski, assistant of Polish Defense and Naval
Attaché, Washington, D.C. “I’m an army guy, so it is not so common for me to see a naval station. I heard this is the newest one and it
is a nice base.”