USA: Master Chief Petty Officer of Navy Attends Annual WPNS

 

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D. West, returned from a 10-day visit to Australia Sept. 16, where he attended the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) for senior enlisted leaders in Sydney to discuss maritime security issues affecting the region’s navies.

“This gathering of multinational Navy enlisted leaders was very productive for all involved,” said West. “Communication is the key to success, and this symposium was an outstanding forum for leaders to share ideas.”

MCPON met with senior enlisted members of 15 different navies whose expertise and vision for military presence in the Pacific were aimed at unifying joint operations and goals. Discussions included best practices on issues in the naval services and exchanging ideas to enhance mutual interests.

The Western Pacific Naval Symposium aimed to increase naval cooperation in the Western Pacific by providing a forum for discussion of maritime issues, both global and regional, and in the process, generate a flow of information and opinion between naval professionals leading to common understanding and cooperation.

“It’s important that we continue to explore how we can conduct business as a global force for good with gatherings that involve different nations,” said West. “While we have different backgrounds and experiences, we also share many of the same values which are truly great strengths to build upon.”

Multinational cooperation takes place through a range of informal arrangements, bilateral and multilateral activities, to formal government-to-government agreements.

“By building and continuing our communication and collective expertise, we’ll be able to respond more efficiently to maritime threats and natural disasters, as well as develop overall global maritime security,” said West.

Prior to the symposium, MCPON visited U.S. Sailors based at the Navy Information Operations Detachment, Alice Springs, Australia, who are supporting operations in the Pacific theater.

“The Sailors here are a stellar example of a small group accomplishing great things, said West. “Their efforts so far from home are impressive and an example of what our Sailors can achieve anywhere in the world.”

MCPON will now take the information gained from his visit in Australia and share it with senior naval leaders in Washington.

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Source: navy, September 22, 2011;