NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) shared his vision of a greener Navy and Marine Corps team, one that is more energy independent, but still remaining the greatest maritime force in the world, during a keynote address at the Naval War College's 61st Current Strategy Forum in Newport, R.I., June 9.
"It's a matter of energy independence, it's a matter of our security," said SECNAV Ray Mabus of the need for the Navy and Marine Corps to reduce dependence on foreign fossil fuels.
Attended by more than 1,200 participants, the 2010 conference explored the theme of "The Global System in Transition" by examining U.S. foreign policy in the emerging global order, the strategic leadership opportunities for the United States and the role of the maritime services in supporting the nation's key objectives. The two-day forum is hosted annually by SECNAV.
"It's a matter of making sure that when we need those ships at sea, when we need those aircraft in the air, when we need the Marines on the ground, we have the energy produced right here in the United States to do that," said Mabus.
Mabus, a former governor of Mississippi, U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and surface warfare officer, gave examples of efforts to become less dependent on foreign fossil fuels.
"In April (2010), we flew the Green Hornet, an F-18 Hornet. The Green Hornet, a regular off-the-shelf F-18, supersonic, flew on a mixture of regular gasoline and biofuel, biofuel made from camelina," said Mabus.
Camelina is a small mustard seed that has the potential to be grown in rotation with wheat in every state.
Becoming greener serves tremendous tactical imperatives as well, said Mabus.
