ADM. DARYL CAUDLE

USS BATAAN TERMINAL B, PORT MIAMI

COMMANDER, U.S. FLEET FORCES COMMAND

08 May 2024

• Thank you, Paul, for that kind introduction.
• Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, Veterans, citizens of Greater Miami, Shipmates, Marines, Coast Guardsmen – good evening – and thank you for joining us tonight!
• My wife Donna and I are absolutely thrilled to be here in beautiful South Florida.
• And allow me to speak for the Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, we are immensely proud to, as Lebron James once said, “… take [our] talents to South Beach.” Well, your sea services have done that very thing!
• Tonight’s Reception is an event hosted by me on behalf of the United States Navy to express our gratitude to the Tri-County Area and its wonderful people who were instrumental toward the successful completion of the very first Fleet Week Miami.
• So, on behalf of all our nation’s sea services, a special thanks to South Florida and the supporting Mayors’ offices, and especially the residents, for being such gracious hosts during this extraordinary event.
• First, for those of you who are unsure of who I am or what I do as the United States Fleet Forces Commander, I am charged by my boss, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Chief of Naval Operations with organizing, training, and equipping a force of over 125,000 Sailors and Civilians with hundreds of ships, submarines, and aircraft and support facilities across the U-S Atlantic Fleet that can ultimately prevail in a high-end conflict while meeting the objectives of our forward Combatant Commanders.
• In short, we train and equip ships like the mighty U-S-S BATAAN who defend international shipping working closely with Allies and Partners to ensure the rules-based international order is safe from attack, operating far forward inside hostile forces’ weapons engagement zones to defend our combined interests around the world – and if needed, as we continue to see – fight and win on terms favorable to the United States and the combined national interests of our Allies and Partners.
• Whew – Should I just Mic drop right now!?
• Okay, before I get too far, I’d like to extend a special welcome to:
  • Our secretary of the Navy; thank you Sir, for coming tonight and for your extraordinary advocacy for making Fleet Week Miami happen!
  • General Richardson, Commander U-S Southern Command – Ma’am, thank you for your support of the Sea Services this week!
  • My Marine Running Mate, LtGen Brian Cavanaugh, Commanding General of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic – Cav and I have executed Fleet Weeks together for a few years and I am honored by his presence tonight!
• Last, but most important, the Commanding Officers and Representatives of the Navy, Marine and Coast Guards teams! Let us not forget that service is not an obligation; it’s a choice – a chance to be a part of something greater than ourselves and to uphold the values that define us as people, as patriots, and as a nation. We are all thrilled at the opportunity to share that ethos with you.
  • With us this week, Representing the Fleet – we have:
    • U-S-S BATAAN, an Amphibious Assault Ship with Marines, aircraft, and amphibious small craft embarked onboard.
    • The crew of BATAAN is a perfect example of the dedication we ask of our people and how our Sailors always answer the call! They were forward deployed for over eight months protecting our national interests, reassuring our allies and partners, and deterring our adversaries in both Europe and the Middle East where they earned the Combat Action Ribbon for deterrence of adversary aggression in the Red Sea. Truly magnificent work!
• And, before I move on, I must say ‘outstanding job’ to CAPT Burkhart, CAPT Jacobo, Command Master Chief Westmoreland and the crew of the BIG 5 for providing us such an outstanding venue tonight – the ship looks great and the spread is superb! 
• This is certainly a fitting location to officially thank the community and kick off the inaugural Fleet Week Miami. U-S-S BATAAN and its capability to embark 1400 marines, dozens of aircraft and amphibious small craft is a not only a powerful symbol of our solemn commitment to the defense of our nation, our partners, and our allies, but also the ‘Honor, Courage, and Commitment’ you bring every day representing our nation’s maritime services around the world. How about a round of applause for the BATAAN and her crew!
  • Next, U-S-S HARRY S TRUMAN, an Air Craft Carrier that you saw get underway from anchorage just off South Beach this morning. CAPT Snowden and his crew recently finished up their first round of advanced training and will deploy later this year where they too will protect the innocent merchants and civilians being unjustly attacked in our critical waterways.
  • U-S-S LEYTE GULF, a Guided Missile Cruiser, quite literally returning to Norfolk as they wrap-up a 4-month South American Deployment. LEYTE GULF commissioned in Port Everglades over 37-years ago, and this is the last hurrah as America’s Battle Cruiser is scheduled to decommission in September. I am sure GEN Richardson would agree, but CAPT Nathan Diaz and his crew seized over 4000 kilograms of cocaine and kept the waters safe from the Caribbean to Rio De Janeiro strengthening our partnerships along the way!
  • U-S-S NORMANDY, another Guided Missile Cruiser, that returned from a 9-month deployment in January where she acted as the Air and Missile Defense Commander on GERALD R FORD’s maiden deployment. CAPT Errol Robinson and his crew aren’t letting off the gas, they are keeping up their certifications and training as they prepare to head back over to Europe for a major NATO exercise and the 80^th Celebration of D-Day!
• From the Marine Corps – we have the:
  • Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force (2 MEF) embarked onboard BATAAN and I hope you are able to see some of their static displays! Not just the random Marines doing countless pull-ups but their impressive aircraft like the Osprey or Huey!
• From the Coast Guard – we have the:
  • U-S Coast Guard Cutter Seneca, a Medium Endurance Cutter that excels in fishery law enforcement, search and rescue, and intercepting “narco-terrorists” from the Caribbean Sea to the East Pacific Ocean!
• As we say in the Navy, Bravo Zulu to these impressive Captains and Crews and thank you for everything you do.

 

• Along with these senior leaders from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, we are here tonight with over 7,000 of the fiercest, most motivated, and lethal warfighters on the planet – and they are here to showcase their toughness, determination, their grit and devotion to their sworn duty to defend our nation’s interests – at home and overseas.
• Fleet Weeks are held all across the United States throughout the year, and they offer both a rare opportunity for our nation’s citizens to get to know your sea services, and an opportunity for us to celebrate the history, heritage, and legacy of mighty warships like this and the service members who took to the sea in times of peace, in times of uncertainty, and when called upon – in times of war.
• This week is about connecting local government and businesses, veterans, and citizins in and around the Tri-County area with our service members to highlight them and their mission in support of this great country.
• The Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen here hail from across the country, each with different backgrounds and experiences – they personify what is ‘best’ about our country – and they stand proudly together, ever guarding against the hostile actors of the world, making it clearly understood that today is the absolute wrong day to challenge us. You will see that the moment you speak to them.
• They are what bring all this metal to life. They operate the weapons, engineering and combat systems that make our Navy the most lethal fighting force the world has ever seen, but also bring compassion and empathy – ready to execute noncombatant evacuation at a moment’s notice.
• Many of you have had the chance to engage these warriors during the 150-plus community events this week.
• Our Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard team are the most formidable and integrated combat team the world has ever known – and it is because we are bolstered by the long-standing relationships, ingenuity, innovation, and determination from the people of this great nation, and great cities like this.
• And that is precisely why this awe-inspiring team will continue to train to the highest standards and continuously break barriers to advance our warfighting edge, so it is known around the world – just as the people of Miami are known for their toughness, their fortitude, and their resolve – that your Sea Services own the maritime environment from the seabed to space - hands down, no exception.

 

• I will tell you – your Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are an integrated and seamless fighting force. We’re busy every day keeping our focus over the horizons. With all the activity in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific, it’s easy to lose track of the value our sea services bring to the American people each and every day. 
• South Florida is a maritime area. Our economy fundamentally depends on the unimpeded flow of commerce and information on and under the sea lanes that your Navy is protecting every day.

• Thank you again for making the Fleet part of Miami’s Family – and thank you for all that you do to support America’s warfighters.