Headquarters News

Navy League Executive Director discusses Navy sonar training missions on ABC's World News Tonight... Video Clip

Adm. Stephen Pietropaoli, USN(Ret.), Navy League Executive Director, appeared on ABC's World News Tonight on January 16, to discuss the battle between environmental groups and the Navy over the protection of marine mammals vis a vis the Navy's ability to train effectively for essential activities.

"It's important that the Navy be able to send trained sailors to sea to protect us and our interests around the globe." Pietropaoli said, in the interview. "They cannot do that if there are excessive, unnecessary restrictions on their ability to do realistic training at sea."

President Bush, citing national security concerns, has moved to exempt the sonar training missions off the coast of Southern California.

The Navy asserts that it is complying with regulations regarding the protection of marine mammals from mid-frequency active sonar it uses to search for "quiet" diesel-electric submarines operated by other countries, including Iran and North Korea.

Related story: Navy granted authority to use sonar training off California...