Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Visits USS Lake Champlain

Courtesy Photo | ABOARD USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57) -- Capt. Donald Roane Jr., Commanding Officer of USS Lake Champlain, briefs Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Sgt. Maj. William Gainey and U.S Central Command Senior Enlisted Advisor Master Sgt. Curt Brownhill on the ship's mission in support of Maritime Security Operations in the Arabian Gulf. Official U.S Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class (AW/SW) Carolla Bennett  

04.11.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By Photographer's Mate 2nd Carolla Bennett

ON BOARD USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57), North Arabian Gulf - Senior Enlisted Advisor to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Sgt. Maj. William Gainey, accompanied by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet Master Chief, Chief of Naval Operations directed Master Chief Kelly Schneider and U.S. Central Command Senior Enlisted Advisor Master Sgt. Curt Brownhill visited USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), April 11.

Gainey is currently on a five-day trip touring naval commands throughout the 5th Fleet area of operations to familiarize himself with Sailors and commend them on a job well done.

"The strength of the Navy is its Sailors," Gainey said. "They're a highly talented group of individuals and they're doing a tremendous job."

While on board, Gainey met with Lake Champlain's Commanding Officer, Capt. Donald Roane Jr., a native of Monterey, Calif., who spoke briefly on the ships mission and accomplishments on deployment.

"Our mission here is a critical one," said Roane. Lake Champlain is currently deployed in the Arabian Gulf in support of maritime security operations (MSO).

MSO set the condition for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

Lake Champlain, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, is currently assigned to USS Ronald Reagan Strike Group. Lake Champlain departed its homeport in San Diego on Jan. 4.

• Date Taken: 04.11.2006
• Date Posted: 04.17.2006 10:45
• Story ID: 6053