WASHINGTON –
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Mike Stevens are scheduled to visit several overseas locations to meet with Sailors, Navy civilians, families and key maritime partners.
The trip begins Oct. 12 in Hawaii, where the CNO and MCPON will celebrate the Navy Birthday meeting with Pearl Harbor Sailors during a number of waterfront visits and calls.
Outside of the United States the CNO will visit the following countries:
Japan
Richardson and Stevens will meet with Sailors at Naval Air Facility Atsugi and Yokosuka Naval Base, visiting several forward deployed units including the newly arrived USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).
In Tokyo, CNO will visit the Japanese Ministry of Defense for a series of counterpart visits with Japanese political and military leaders to reinforce maritime cooperation initiatives and military support for this important ally nation.
Richardson will also participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Memorial Zone in honor of fallen JSDF service members.
South Korea
CNO and MCPON will visit with Sailors and Marines assigned to Commander, Naval Forces Korea and hold an all hands call to answer questions and receive Fleet feedback.
Richardson will also meet with officials from the Republic of Korea's (ROK) Ministry of Defense, ROK's new chairman of their joint chiefs of staff and his counterpart in the ROK Navy to strengthen their shared alliance and reaffirm commitment to security in the Asia-Pacific region.
Philippines
CNO and MCPON will make a stop at Clark Air Base to meet with host-nation Navy leaders.
Bahrain
During all hands calls and small group sessions, CNO and MCPON will meet with Sailors, Navy civilians and families stationed at Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
He will visit a number of ships and tour the newly expanded waterfront and pier facilities used by U.S. and allied naval forces.
Richardson will to engage with government and Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) leadership to support regional security cooperation efforts.
Italy
Richardson will continue his Fleet engagement meeting with Sailors, Navy civilians and families stationed at Naval Support Activity, Naples.
Finally, CNO will lead the U.S. Navy delegation at the Italian Navy-hosted Regional Seapower Symposium in Venice. Richardson will participate in a number of senior panel discussions as well as meet individually with several of his partner Navy colleagues.
Richardson became the 31st CNO, Sept. 18, serving as the Navy's most senior officer, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a principal advisor to the Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Defense and the President.
Link to CNO bio - http://www.navy.mil/navybio_ldr.asp?id=440
Link to MCPON bio - http://www.navy.mil/navybio_ldr.asp?id=695