Vice Adm. Cosgriff Briefs Vice President Dick Cheney aboard Stennis

By admin - Posted on May 14th, 2007

5/14/2007 -- USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Kevin J. Cosgriff, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet briefed Vice President Dick Cheney on U.S. and coalition operations in the Middle East May 11 during the vice president’s visit aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), underway in the Persian Gulf.

Vice President Cheney is currently on a tour of the Middle East to meet with Arab leaders and U.S. service members.

“You’re doing all that we ask of you, and you’re doing it with skill and with honor,” Cheney told the crew of Stennis. “With two carrier strike groups in the Gulf, we’re sending clear messages to friends and adversaries alike. We’ll keep the sea lanes open. We’ll stand with our friends in opposing extremism and strategic threats. We'll disrupt attacks on our own forces. We'll continue bringing relief to those who suffer, and delivering justice to the enemies of freedom. And we'll stand with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region.”

Cosgriff outlined the challenges and opportunities facing maritime forces in the Middle East.

“I especially wanted to highlight the important contribution that the maritime coalition is making in the region,” Cosgriff said.

The admiral discussed NAVCENT goals and objectives, which include supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and conducting maritime security operations (MSO).

MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO seek to deny violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack, to transport personnel or weapons, or to facilitate terrorism through criminal activity such as smuggling.

Cosgriff pointed out that the international coalition naval presence he commands is a visible and viable commitment to regional nations’ security and that this capability is important to the entire global economy.

“Having the opportunity for the vice president to hear and see firsthand the important work of the coalition and the U.S. Navy was important, and I know the Sailors and Marines aboard Stennis were especially pleased to be able to host him,” the admiral said.

Source: US Navy

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