Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mark Ferguson, right, signs the guest book upon his arrival at Australian Navy Headquarters while Chief of the Australian Navy Vice Adm. Ray Griggs, looks on. (Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Servello / Navy)
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In line with a new U.S. strategy placing increased emphasis on the Pacific, the Navy’s second-highest-ranking officer is visiting Australia and Singapore, meeting with defense officials to discuss a greater U.S. presence in the southwest Pacific.
“The visit represents the Navy’s continued commitment to the region and our desire to enhance security and prosperity,” Adm. Mark Ferguson, vice chief of naval operations, said Feb. 20 in a phone interview.
“We have a very enduring and longstanding presence as a Pacific nation and feel very strongly our long term security is linked,” Ferguson said. “The new defense strategy underscores that enduring nature.”
The U.S. already has announced a plan to rotate as many as 500 Marines at a time through the northern Australian town of Darwin, and Singapore has agreed to host as many as four Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) at its Changi naval base.
Ferguson arrived Sunday in the Australian capital of Canberra to meet with officials and speak at the Australian Defence College. He noted the Australians are in the midst of a military modernization period.
Australian media has been discussing the need for an increased military presence along the northern and western coasts, away from population centers but closer to strategic interests.
Ferguson spoke as he was about to head to Darwin to see for himself the lay of the land.
“We want to walk the ground and get an understanding of the infrastructure issues to support Marines in a rotational nature in Darwin,” Ferguson said. He was also to take a harbor tour to see the port facilities and the anchorage.
Asked whether he had discussed possible expansion of U.S. Navy activities at Australia’s western naval base of Stirling, on the Indian Ocean near Perth, Ferguson replied that “we’re in the preliminary stages” of discussions with the Australians.
“They’ve mentioned they’re interested in the west coast and the north coast,” he said. “There are opportunities to take a look at, but we’re in the early stages of looking.”
Ferguson acknowledged there would be an increased U.S. presence in the region, with more port calls. “I certainly think our service members would enjoy that,” he said.
In Singapore, Ferguson will take a look at preparations for the visit later this year of the first LCS, the Freedom.
“The primary focus of the visit is looking at the deployment of LCS,” the four-star said. “The things we need to do make sure the ship is ready and sustainable, and that we have the appropriate infrastructure in place.”
The length of the Freedom’s stay in Singapore is one topic of discussion. “We still have to work some issues before we set that down,” he said.
From Singapore, Ferguson will visit Guam for a look at infrastructure improvements before returning to the U. S. mainland.
