International officers attending the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) Naval Staff College (NSC) visited the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), April 17.
The 62 international officers from 51 countries in the NSC Class of 2017 toured Ike as part of the field studies program (FSP).
This program provides the students with a balanced understanding of U.S. society, institutions, and culture through exposure to various topics, including the U.S. governmental structure, judicial system, economic system, political party system, press and other communication media, urban issues, agriculture, and education institutions.
In the words of Adm. Arleigh Burke , the NSC program helps “to foster friendship, knowledge and cooperation among friendly and allied navies from around the globe.”
As part of the visit, the officers met with Rear Admiral Jim Malloy, commander Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, and Capt. Craig Sicola, Ike’s executive officer, for a discussion about the recent deployment and how the aircraft carrier with its carrier strike group contribute to national defense.
“Building relationships with our counterparts through student exchanges like NSC, is a key enabler to strengthening our Navy and the number one asset – our Sailors,” said Malloy . “Through our shared experiences, we build long-term trust, familiarity and interoperability, while also opening the aperture for exchanging new ideas and understanding varying perspectives. This aids our Sailors and our partners into developing a more holistic world view, which makes us more mission-ready.”
Following the discussion, the officers toured the ship with Ike officers and junior Sailors to areas including the hangar bay, navigational bridge, flight deck, flight deck control, pri-fly, mess decks, wardroom, and ship’s store.
Lt. Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich, Ike’s public affairs officer and NSC class of 2015 graduate, explained the importance of visiting the aircraft carrier.
“It isn’t until you walk along the pier, on the decks of the ship, and across the flight deck that you understand the sheer magnitude and power that this type of ship with its embarked air wing can bring to the fight,” said Rebarich .
The NSC 2017 class president, Lt. Gregory Soberanis of the Belize Navy, echoed Malloy and Rebarich’s sentiments.
“As you know we are officers from all over the world and a visit like this really helps us to better understand the international interoperability that we share with the U.S. It also gives us the opportunity to appreciate what the U.S. provides for our nations as a key and integral ally,” said Soberanis .
When asked about the importance of FSPs to the curriculum, Soberanis responded, “The FSPs really help us to better understand the culture, systems, even the protocols that you have in the military structures, economic structures, even among the publics here in the U.S. It helps us to put into context much of what we see in the US news and how we interact with our international partners when they come in country. I believe one of the key components to coming on this trip is to really help us to appreciate the value of military service, but the service of every U.S. Sailor, airman, Solider, and the support they provide to our countries.”