7th Fleet Focus: On Power

Globally deployed, globally present. This is another example how naval power is an instrument of national power in the 21st century.

Following the aftermath of Super Typhoon Choi-Wan, USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3) and two MH-60S helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 arrived on station in the early morning hours of Sept. 17 to provide humanitarian support to residents of Alamagan and Agrihan.

The islands, part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), are approximately 146 nautical miles north of Saipan.

At the request of the Governor of Saipan, Alan Shepard, a Military Sealift Command dry cargo-ammunition ship, was tasked with transiting to the area to assist the residents who required basic survival needs following the effects of heavy rain and winds in excess of 150 mph brought on by the super typhoon.

Read the rest here.

It is easy to take this for granted, and by the absence of press coverage (2 stories, here and here), we apparently do. We shouldn't. Our naval presence everywhere and the capability to respond anywhere quickly is what makes the US unique in the world today.