Sterett-Dewey SAG Prepares For Western Pacific Deployment with Naval Postgraduate School

UNITED STATES

04.07.2017

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Byron Linder  

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet           

Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 31 command staff, Sterett and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105), along with embarked helicopter detachments from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 and HSM 78, comprise the Sterett-Dewey Surface Action Group (Sterett-Dewey SAG), which will conduct routine patrols, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation activities in the Western Pacific area of responsibility under the operational command and control of U.S. 3rd Fleet.

The briefs provided an overview of the history and culture of countries Sterett-Dewey SAG Sailors are expected to visit. The briefs also provided background information on U.S. military history in the region, current political and economic landscapes, and cultural expectations.

Dr. Tristan Mabry, a professor at the Department of National Security Affairs at NPS, and Dr. Will Norris, a professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, explained the genesis of these RSEP briefings trace back to the 2000 attack on USS Cole in the Gulf of Aiden. Since that time, the program has expanded, with the goal of reaching each deploying ship.

“One of the things they realized there was they didn’t have a good understanding of the regional security dynamic they were going into,” Norris said. “So we give ships information about what’s been going on recently, some strategic and operational context of what’s been going on in the local vicinity.”

Norris emphasized the importance of tailoring the brief contents to maximize effectiveness.

“We coordinated with the DESRON and senior flag staff before coming aboard, and we identified topics that would be most helpful and useful for their staff to be up to speed on and what they’re going to want their ship’s company to be aware of,” Norris said.

Norris said major goals of the briefs included strategic context and tactical understanding.

“When you see new developments, when you find new information or data, these briefs give you some background context so you can interpret that with a higher degree of fidelity,” Norris said. “Knowing a little bit about what your presence means there and what the United States is trying to do with that partner and ally in the region – that’s important from a national interest perspective.”

While the briefs are not intended as an educational opportunity by design, Norris said the feedback praised the series as an excellent one. Lt. j.g. James Isham, Sterett’s training officer, cited the depth and the motivations as highlights.

“First off, I just think the whole thing was interesting. It really put into light what is going on in the region. We see in the news the reports of what’s going on where we are going, but that’s only the surface. The briefs started peeling back those layers to see the why of things that are happening there, and why we’re expected to act a certain way when we’re out there.

“I think for a lot of ship’s company, it does become a strong inspiration to read up more, so it does have that role. We’ve heard back from the DESRON staff that this helps contextualize what they’re trying to do in the area, so this helps them be maximally efficient in executing the commander’s intent,” Norris added.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy, constantly coordinating with U.S. 7th Fleet to plan and execute missions based on their complementary strengths to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability throughout the Pacific theater of operations.

• Date Taken: 04.07.2017
• Date Posted: 04.13.2017 20:57
• Story ID: 230304
• Location: US