USS Gabrielle Giffords Cmdr. Kevin P. Meehan (second from right) gives Navy Secretary Richard Spencer and Congressmen Scott Peters a tour of the littoral combat ship. Photo by Chris Stone
Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer visited Naval Base San Diego Tuesday to hold an “all hands” meeting with area sailors and tour the littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords.
The visit, his first while in office, comes after a pair of deadly collisions involving U.S. destroyers. The latest collision, involving the USS John S. McCain and a tanker, resulted 10 deaths.
In June, seven sailors aboard the USS Fitzgerald died after a collision with another ship. Two of the victims were from the San Diego region.
Both destroyers are based in Japan.
In a similar visit to Naval Station Mayport in Florida last week, Spencer told sailors the collisions were “a tragedy” and “totally unacceptable,” according to news reports.
He said the “extraordinary” tempo of operations lately may have contributed to the collisions, but he said he planned to wait until investigations are complete to decide whether to make changes. The Navy ordered a comprehensive review of the incidents and surface fleet operations.
Spencer is scheduled to visit with Marines at Camp Pendleton on Wednesday.
Sworn in on Aug. 3, Spencer is a Marine veteran who spent five years as a helicopter pilot. Most recently, he worked for a management consulting firm in Wyoming.
— City News Service
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer (second from left) aboard the USS Gabrielle Giffords. Photo by Ken Stone
USS Giffords Cmdr. Kevin P. Meehan points out the insulation of the ship to Navy Secretary Richard Spencer. Photo by Chris Stone
U.S. Rep. Scott Peters greets Navy Secretary Richard Spencer aboard the USS Gabrielle Giffords. Photo by Chris Stone
Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer speaks to sailors aboard the USS Gabrielle Giffords. Photo by Chris Stone
Secretary Richard Spencer speaks to the media follow an “all hands” address and tour of the USS Gabrielle Giffords at Naval Base San Diego. Photo by Chris Stone
Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer speaks to sailors aboard the USS Gabrielle Giffords. Photo by Chris Stone
U.S. Rep. Scott Peters shows medal he received from Navy Secretary Richard Spencer. Photo by Chris Stone
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer speaks during an “all hands” address aboard the USS Gabrielle Giffords at Naval Base San Diego. Photo by Chris Stone
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer speaks to the media follow an “all hands” address and tour of the USS Gabrielle Giffords at Naval Base San Diego. Photo by Chris Stone
USS Gabrielle Giffords Cmdr. Kevin P. Meehan (second from right) gives Navy Secretary Richard Spencer and Congressmen Scott Peters a tour of the littoral combat ship. Photo by Chris Stone
USS Gabrielle Giffords Cmdr. Kevin P. Meehan (left) gives Navy Secretary Richard Spencer and Congressmen Scott Peters a tour of the littoral combat ship. Photo by Chris Stone
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer speaks to sailors aboard the USS Gabrielle Giffords. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS Gabrielle Giffords is docked at Naval Base San Diego. Photo by Chris Stone
