October 16, 2017
CRANE, Ind. – At the invitation of United States Senators Joe Donnelly and Todd Young, the Commandant of the Marine Corps – General Robert Neller – visited Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) on Friday to gain a more in-depth understanding of Crane’s capabilities and its current efforts in supporting the Marine Corps.
This was the first time in its 75-year history that NSWC Crane has ever hosted a Commandant of the Marine Corps. Senators Donnelly and Young, as well as Indiana Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08), accompanied General Neller and his staff on the visit.
“I appreciate what you’re doing to support the Marines, and I thank you for inviting us here to Crane,” General Neller said in front of a group of NSWC Crane employees and military personnel.
During the visit, General Neller and his staff took in-depth tours of NSWC Crane’s three mission areas – Expeditionary Warfare, Electronic Warfare and Strategic Missions. General Neller had the opportunity to see and use a few of the many products NSWC Crane has either developed or is in the process of developing for the Marine Corps.
"This visit provided us an excellent opportunity to introduce General Neller to the men and women of Crane that are working every day to support the Marine Corps," said NSWC Crane Commanding Officer, Capt. Mark Oesterreich. "We were able to show him specific examples of ways in which we are supporting his Marines today, and discuss additional opportunities in the future. I would like to thank Senators Donnelly and Young as well as Congressman Bucshon for their support of this visit and of Crane."
NSWC Crane is the largest warfare center provider to the Marine Corps and has been for the last decade. Crane currently supports 11 of 15 Marine Corps Program Managers across Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) and PEO-Land Systems (PEO-LS).
“It was a privilege to host Marine Commandant General Neller at Crane,” said Senator Donnelly, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Crane is one of our nation’s most critical military laboratories, and I am pleased the Commandant could see firsthand the incredible work Hoosiers do every day at Crane to support our service members and protect our national security. I will continue working to ensure our military leaders take full advantage of these hardworking Hoosiers and help Crane grow its mission.”
General Neller, the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, previously served as the Commander, Marine Forces Command from July 2014 to Sept. 2015, and Commander, Marine Forces Central Command from Sept. 2012 to June 2014. General Neller was first commissioned in 1975 and has served as an infantry officer at all levels.
“I was proud to host the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps at NSWC Crane and Crane Army Ammunition Activity,” said Senator Young. “General Neller was impressed by the skilled workforce at Crane and all they do for the Marine Corps, the Department of Defense, and our national security. The Commandant’s visit will help ensure that Crane and its workforce continue to play an essential role in supporting our warfighters for decades to come.”
Added Congressman Bucshon: “This is a big deal. The Commandant was impressed by all you are doing here, and I hope it will lead to more opportunities for Crane to work with the Marine Corps. All the work that is done here is critically important to the warfighter and the safety and security of the American people. I greatly appreciate that.”
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). NSWC Crane is responsible for multi-domain, multi-spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability of today’s warfighter.