Last week, AUVSI’s Advocacy team attended the Surface Navy Association’s 35th Annual National Symposium, where this year’s theme was Sharpening Our Competitive Edge. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro delivered a keynote address on global stability, leadership, and service. 

Pillars for Strategic Competition 

The U.S. Navy is focused on deterring and countering China, Russia, and Iran, and Del Toro stated that the strategy to provide global stability rests on three pillars: maritime dominance, naval excellence, and global partnerships. 

Pillar One: Strengthen maritime dominance 

The U.S. Navy, global military allies, and industry partners are working aggressively to deter China’s expansionist efforts and intent to disrupt global sea trade.  

China currently has over 41 destroyers with the objective to build a significant fleet of 440 ships and submarines by the year 2030. To strengthen maritime dominance, Del Toro stated that Nation’s shipbuilding program is strong with 54 ships being built in our shipyards and over 80 more under contract.   

Del Toro also cited that Fifth Fleet’s Task Force 59 has been meaningfully experimenting to integrate autonomous systems into the Naval fleet. There are many lessons learned from Task Force 59’s efforts and the Navy is aggressively applying those lessons learned as they push operational capability forward.  Ultimately, these unmanned systems will save lives. 

Pillar Two: Build a naval culture of excellence on the foundations of dignity and respect 

Del Toro discussed the critical importance of rebuilding a strong logistical maritime merchant marine fleet. He is working closely with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to ensure that we have a significant merchant fleet to support and sustain our Naval Force, especially far-forward in a high-end conflict. He brought back memories of World War II to the audience to remind all the critical role of a strong maritime logistical capability played in our victory and the sacrifices that merchant marine suffered during that conflict.     

He also highlighted how the new modeling and simulation training facility in San Diego is positively impacting sailor training. Advanced training will prepare sailors for the rapid technological changes to come, integrate warfighting capability into the Naval Force, and help our Navy remain the global leader.  

Part of building excellence is requiring the Naval Force to continually educate themselves with targeted and tactically relevant training.  If Naval officers want to advance in rank, advanced degrees and excellence in education will be needed. 

Finally, the Secretary discussed the importance of capabilities to refuel, rearm and resupply while at sea. He acknowledged the cutting-edge efforts of the commanding officer and crew of the USS Spruance. 

Pillar Three: Strengthen global partnerships 

Global partnership will include reliance on foreign shipyards and ship repair capacity and capability. A strong forward presence in the Pacific requires working with global partners so the Navy can be ready with sustainable capability – and Del Toro stresses this in meeting with international partners as he tours the world. 

Focus on Service 

Secretary Del Toro’s Navy career began humbly 45 years ago. Today, he reminds all warfighters, civilians, and industry partners about the “why” for all they do: the protect the liberty of all Americans. He stated that he spends a significant amount of time traveling to meet with Sailors and Marines to understand how he can better serve them. It is evident that mental health is a serious concern, and he is focused on putting resources into combating the root causes, including workload stress, morale, and living conditions. Del Toro stated that he wants to foster the right environment for each Sailor and Marine to thrive, and he understands that more needs to be done. 

USS Thomas G. Kelley Announced 

Del Toro closed his remarks with a detailed story of Captain Thomas Gunning Kelley (ret.)’s bravery that earned him the Medal of Honor during his deployment to Vietnam in 1969. He then announced that the future Arleigh Burke Class Flight III guided-missile destroyer, DDG 140 will be named “USS Thomas G. Kelley”.  He stated: “May we all, especially the future men and women assigned to this ship, always be inspired by Kelley’s brilliant leadership, bold initiative and resolute determination.”