The visit was part of Operation Southern Spear, the military's mission against narco-terrorism in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility. The two vessels visited were the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill.
According to American Military News, upon his arrival on the flight deck of the Ford, Hegseth addressed the crew members in the ship's hangar bay. He expressed his admiration for the sailors, stating, “I can guarantee it that I have the most beautiful view of America right now, looking at all of you; so, thank you so much for sharing Thanksgiving with us.”
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He added humorously that the captive audience probably didn’t have a choice in the matter.
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Hegseth underscored the crucial role of Navy assets like the USS Ford and its sailors in combating narco-terror activity in the region, thereby contributing to the success of Operation Southern Spear. He emphasized their readiness and commitment to the mission under President Donald J. Trump's leadership. “Anywhere the world requires, you are prepared and ready to go. And here in our hemisphere, under [the] leadership of President [Donald J.] Trump, you are on mission, protecting the American homeland, protecting the American people, stopping the flow of drugs and narcotics [coming] into our country,” Hegseth told the sailors.
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The Secretary of War further highlighted the direct impact of their work on the American people, stating, “What you do here, what you enable here, directly affects the American people, which is what President Trump has charged me with.” He encouraged the sailors to always make tough calls and do the right thing, assuring them of the administration's support. “And we will have your back, because you’re defending the American homeland and you’re defending the American people,” Hegseth said.
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Following his address, Hegseth proceeded to administer reenlistments for a trio of sailors and gave special recognition to five of the ship’s culinary specialists. He then joined other senior leaders in serving Thanksgiving dinner to hundreds of sailors on the ship’s mess decks.
The service members expressed their gratitude for the secretary and other leaders' decision to spend their holiday showing appreciation for the sacrifices made by deployed service members. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Nathaniel Payne, USS Ford’s aviation and armament division, said, “This is my sixth deployment, and having our leadership come out and show that support … you know, you could say that it’s expected — because they make a point to do it — but that doesn’t mean that it’s not appreciated.”
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Navy Lt. Cmdr. Luke Stanley, the ship’s assistant navigator, echoed these sentiments. He appreciated Hegseth's visit, stating, “I think it was a great opportunity for [Hegseth] to come visit the ship … and have a chance to come talk with the troops. I think it boosted everyone’s morale.”
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Stanley also acknowledged Hegseth's emphasis on the importance of working for sailors, like those that compose the Ford’s crew, as one of his most important job responsibilities. “And I think that’s a true statement,” Stanley said, reflecting the overall positive impact of Hegseth's visit on the morale of the sailors.
