New Missions
RICHARD C. BARNARD, Editor in Chief
Our story on page 14, “Pitching In,” describes the latest
step in the Navy’s continuous effort to remake itself for the
challenges of the 21st century. Helicopter squadrons now assigned as
onboard delivery support units soon will be deployed to Iraq to replace
Army copter units assigned to troop transport and medical evacuation
duties.
Managing Editor Richard R. Burgess notes that the pending deployments
are in addition to several recent moves by the Navy to provide regional
combatant commanders with a variety of new capabilities for the global
war on terrorism. These include the reconstitution of its brown-water
combat capability, new units trained for ground combat operations and
more diverse intelligence capabilities. A secondary purpose is for
the Navy to take some of the load off of the Marine Corps and Army,
which are heavily tasked by deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern
Africa and elsewhere around the globe.
In mid-October, Adm. Mike Mullen, chief of naval operations, moved
the effort a giant step further, directing the creation of a “Navy
Expeditionary Combat Command.” It is one element of Mullen’s
vision of the future to create a Navy far different than the one we
have today. Look for additional coverage in issues to come.
There are some new developments at Seapower this month. In this issue,
we introduce “Industry Snapshot,” (p. 44) a new Seapower
department to provide a quick, vibrant look at the machines being developed
and built for the sea services, and the program managers responsible
for them.
Also, I am delighted to report that Seapower has been named a winner
in the “2005 American Graphic Design Awards.” The judges
selected our February 2005 cover as indicative of the excellence in
design celebrated by this national competition. So let’s have
a great big cheer for our designers at the Pensaré Design Group
Ltd., Washington, D.C.: Mary Ellen Vehlow, Amy Billingham and Rob Black.
Deputy Editor Peter Atkinson, who does much of our photo selection,
shares in this achievement. Congratulations to all.
Finally, Matthew Hilburn has joined our staff as associate editor
to cover the Marine Corps, the Merchant Marine and related topics.
A seasoned defense journalist, Hilburn previously was deputy news editor
of the weekly newspaper, Navy Times, and a free-lancer based in Spain
where he covered terrorism for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., the
Christian Science Monitor and other media. Hilburn is a welcome addition
to our staff.
We are eager to get your feedback. Contact me at rbarnard@navyleague.org
or by mail at Seapower, 2300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3308.
