Navy Secretary Sets Sail to USS George H. W. Bush for High-Profile Visit

In a heartfelt address to the crew of the USS George H.W. Bush, Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve over the past 3.5 years. “Every day that I’ve woken up these past 3.5 years, it’s you I have thought about in the morning,” Del Toro remarked, reflecting on his dedication to the Navy personnel. Del Toro emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating, “What makes our country great, is that our leadership at every level, we care about each other. We’re a team. We’re shipmates.”

During his visit, Del Toro engaged with Sailors on the mess decks, addressing their queries about naval service and their quality of life improvements over recent years. He highlighted efforts made during his tenure, noting, “We listened to you, and we are making far more investments now than we ever have in the Navy.” Del Toro acknowledged that while not everything is perfect, significant strides have been taken to enhance the Sailors’ experience.

Del Toro, who became the 78th Secretary of the Navy on August 9, 2021, has a long-standing history with the Navy, originally joining as a surface warfare officer in 1983 and serving for 22 years. His leadership has focused on improving the conditions and services for Navy personnel, emphasizing active listening to their needs and investing accordingly.

The USS George H.W. Bush is currently navigating the basic phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan. This stage is crucial for the crew as it involves practicing vital operations like damage control and flight deck tasks, simulating real-life scenarios to better prepare for future missions.

For media inquiries, please reach out to Lt. Cmdr. Madie Hansen, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs Officer, at pao@cvn77.navy.mil.