US Navy VADM Wikoff on the “Best Trained, Best Equipped Navy in History”
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It’s been difficult for US Navy units to catch a break and gain a respite from the incredible, global operating tempo of the last 10 months. Naval personnel, units and staffs from across the warfare domains have been called upon to be on station beyond notional six-month deployment cycles. And as VADM George Wikoff, US Navy, Commander, US Naval Forces, Central Command/Commander, FIFTH Fleet and Commander, Combined Maritime Forces, told a virtual presentation this August 7, his forces have engaged actors with lethal force in his area of responsibility – under a 24/7 readiness posture when on station.
The 3-star admiral’s presentation “Preserving the Free Flow of Commerce in the Red Sea and Beyond” hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, provided a deep-dive on diverse tactical and strategic issues in the region well beyond MS&T’seditorial purview. Yet, of particular interest to MS&T’s followers were several of the commander’s comments on training and this generation of naval operators’ performance in a combat environment.
Shining the Light on Surface Warriors
Wikoff praised the forces provided by the “SWO [surface warfare officer] Boss [Commander, Naval Surface Forces and Naval Surface Force, US Pacific Fleet] and the aviation community,” to his forward-based command, and called out “the surface community, in particular, as having been absolutely outstanding.”
Commentators in and beyond the US Navy have opined the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardianin the Red Sea and concurrent tasks in the Fifth Fleet AOR have created the most intense maritime operational environment since World War II. In one instance, the warfare domain has seen a number of operational firsts, including the initial-use of anti-ship ballistic missiles against US Navy- and allied vessels, further raising the force-wide training readiness bar.
Laurels for this Generation
Wikoff then pointed out the chief of naval operations talks about warfighters, warfighting and foundation, and emphasized, “You see it all here.”
The multi-organizational commander also set aside any questions about this generation of sailors’ ability to meet these warfare requirements. Offering that there is a tendency to “always look at this generation as not as capable as
your generation. That is a tradition we’ve had, he continued, “I’ll tell you this generation is better than any generation I have been involved with. I also knew they were trained, they had weapons systems and they knew what to do. They did and they once again performed flawlessly.”
Wikoff added he was careful with the bravado, noting “you are only as good as your next engagement. That is a sober reminder that we all have,” but without hesitation continued, “They are the best trained, best equipped navy in history and we are seeing it right now.”
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