U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander in Chief

U.S. national leadership has focused the attention of government on rebalancing toward Asia Pacific and is prioritizing efforts across all of government and across all elements of national influence. The U.S. Navy will also rebalance our force structure and posture to ensure adequate resources are available to continue our leadership role of enhancing stability, and maritime security. The Pacific Fleet has developed enduring relationships with our regional Allies and partners based on mutual respect and trust. This trust has been earned by visibly demonstrating our commitment to Asia Pacific through purposeful, forward presence. Our continuous presence underpins access to a free and secure global maritime common broadly benefiting the region and facilitating the economic prosperity of nations.

Central to our ability to operate forward with purpose in a region of global importance is our ability to respond rapidly across the full spectrum of Naval operations. Responding to these mission sets, requires Pacific Fleet to prioritize operational warfighting readiness and is reflected in the plans and initiatives for 2012-2014. This document presents the Pacific Fleet Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles, provides an overview of my priorities and a framework for specific initiatives intended as areas of unique, focused effort.

U.S. Pacific Fleet protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the United States and its allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region. In support of U.S. Pacific Command and with allies and partners, U.S. Pacific Fleet enhances stability, promotes maritime security and freedom of the seas, deters aggression and when necessary, fights to win.

A credible, purposeful, forward deployed fleet that is ready to respond rapidly to any contingency, that cooperates with allies and partners to promote maritime security and freedom of the seas, that is aligned with other U.S. Governmental agencies, deters and when necessary defeats threats to national security through decisive naval, joint and combined operations.

The principles below guide everything that we do every day—our plans, policies, operations, activities, engagement—they shape and inform the way, the how, we carry out actions to promote peace, prevent conflict, and set the conditions for a successful response to any contingency.

Teamwork. We operate most effectively as a combined team. I expect Pacific Fleet to leverage the individual strengths of our staff, subordinate commands, fellow component commands, our Allies and partners to generate effects and achieve the best return on our efforts. Results matter! We must leverage our collective strengths, build consensus when possible and remain aligned with other U.S. governmental agencies.

Excellence. Mere capability and capacity in warfighting is insufficient. Proficiency matters most. Excellence is a mindset and we will strive for excellence in everything we do. We shall identify roadblocks to progress and avoid them not merely overcome these challenges once presented to us. We must anticipate! Pacific Fleet will have credible leaders and Sailors who provide innovative and adaptable solutions to challenges.

Assessment. A job worth doing is worth doing right. How we measure progress is critically important to determining the worth of our efforts. Every task we collectively undertake must add value to our overall efforts or should be questioned as to its fundamental purpose.

Never forget as we act that our people are our most valuable resource and a well trained, well equipped, and well led Fleet can overcome any challenge. Lifelong learning develops our ability to think critically and directly supports our ability to assess. I value your time and the efforts of our Fleet. We will be good stewards of all our Nation’s resources — people, fiscal, material and environmental.