Chief Of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (AW/NAC) Michael D. Stevens visited guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22.
During the visit, the CNO and MCPON visited with the crew and held an all hands call, where the CNO recognized several awardees, promoted one Sailor and reenlisted several others.
The visit by the Navy’s most senior members was greatly appreciated by the Sailors aboard Hue.
“I can’t believe our highest chain of command in the Navy took the time out of their day to acknowledge our accomplishments and visit us on this Thanksgiving Day,” said Yeoman 2nd Class (EXW/AW) Jorge Esparza . “Their actions only fuel our motivation out here.”
While aboard Hue City, the CNO toured the ship and met with Sailors, talking about their goals in the Navy. MCPON spent a majority of his time discussing his zeroing in on excellence benchmarks with the ship’s chief petty officers.
At the all-hands call, the CNO touched on his tenets for the fleet – warfighting first, operate forward and be ready – while also complimenting the crew on the outstanding preservation work that has been done on Hue City.
“The last time I was on a cruiser, it was Hue City,” said Greenert. “I go away and come back and this ship looks better than it did then. That doesn’t happen because somebody decided to give the Hue City all the best equipment. That’s all on you guys and gals, and I want to thank you very much on that.”
MCPON extended similar thoughts at the all hands call, conveying his confidence in the ship’s ability to meet any challenges they might face, and thanked them for their service in the fleet.
For the 11 Sailors who reenlisted, receiving the oath of enlistment from the CNO was an experience the Sailors said they were very grateful for.
“Meeting and being reenlisted by the CNO is the highlight of my career,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Burton Washington . “It is definitely something I won’t forget.”
Hue City is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, November 27, 2012