PEARL HARBOR -- Adm. Harry Harris, commander, U.S. Pacific Command, visited the U.S. naval oceanographic ship USNS Pathfinder (T-AGS 60), March 30, to gain a better understanding of the oceanographic products and processes the ship's crew provides to the Department of Defense.

Adm. Harris commented that he was "very impressed with the precise positioning capability and multi-mission modularity of Pathfinder."

USNS Pathfinder is one of six ships operated by the Military Sealift Command and under the technical control of the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) located at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.

"Navy ships, submarines, aircraft and SEALS require information about the physical environment to operate and navigate safely and effectively," said Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet, commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the operational commander of NAVOCEANO. "Our oceanographic survey ships are key contributors of this information that ensures the U.S. Navy maintains advantage against our competitors."

The importance of the information about the ocean environment that USNS Pathfinder collects was recently recognized by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson when he established Task Force Ocean, headed by Gallaudet and the Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Dave Hahn. The new task force is composed of ocean science leaders in the Navy and government, supported by academia and the private sector, which will advance the health of U.S. ocean science with an emphasis on national security applications.

Also visiting USNS Pathfinder were the U.S. Pacific Command's Director of Operations Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery and Command Surgeon Rear Adm. Brian S. Pecha, and the U.S. Pacific Fleet's Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Phillip G. Sawyer, and Director for Fleet Maintenance Rear Adm. Stephen Williamson. This was a rare opportunity for the Navy leaders, as all six Pathfinder-class ships are forward-deployed with no port to call home. It is uncommon for one of these ships to be in the United States, much less in the local area.

Pathfinder was named for Matthew Fontaine Maury, known as the "Pathfinder of the Seas" and father of oceanography. She is built to optimize America's sea power by applying relevant oceanographic knowledge in support of U.S. national security. NAVOCEANO survey detachments consist of civilian and military personnel that conduct multiple survey operations each year.

NAVOCEANO, comprised of approximately 800 military, civilian and contractor personnel, uses a variety of platforms, including ships, aircraft, satellite sensors, buoys and unmanned underwater vehicles to collect oceanographic and hydrographic data from the world's oceans.