U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. visited the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and spoke at length to students, faculty and staff in King Auditorium, April 4.

NPS President, retired Vice Admiral Ronald A. Route welcomed Harris and urged him to think of NPS as his, “… advanced problem solving think tank.”

Harris discussed America’s strategic rebalance to the Pacific, the critical role of naval operations, and how NPS is an “intellectual engine” that contributes to U.S. success in the Asia-Pacific region.

“I value greatly the graduates and the products that come out of NPS,” said Harris. “I am a consumer of those products.

“I like to think of NPS as an intellectual RIMPAC,” said Harris, comparing NPS to the Pacific Fleet-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), the largest international exercise in the world. “Our ability to work with our international partners is critical and the work that comes out of this school is critical to those partnerships.”

In addition to the contribution that NPS makes by way of regional area experts, Harris also spoke of the important contributions students and faculty are making in the areas of cyber operations, security and defense.  

“I need capabilities that analyze, protect and ensure frequency spectrum dominance,” said Harris.

In addition to answering questions from students and faculty, Harris offered insight into the importance of maritime operations to the nation and the world.

“Seventy percent of the earth’s surface is covered in water and 90 percent of the world’s commerce travels by sea,” said Harris.  “What happens on the sea, under the sea and over the sea matters to the nation and to the world.”