An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 24, 2016

Chief of Naval Operations Visits Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane

By NSWC Crane Public Affairs

August 23, 2016

Crane, Ind. — At the invitation of U.S. Sen. Joseph Donnelly, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John M. Richardson toured Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) on Aug. 23 to learn about the warfare center’s capabilities and alignment to ‘A Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority’—a document that addresses how the Navy will adapt to changes in the security environment and continue to fulfill its mission.

During the tour, CNO Richardson received briefings about NSWC Crane’s three mission focus areas, Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. He also toured the Rapid Innovation Prototype Lab (RIPL) and experienced firsthand how NSWC Crane fields and creates solutions for the warfighter.

Richardson made comments about the warfare center’s technology stressing the importance of innovation and alignment to the Navy’s mission. He also stressed the importance of Crane’s workforce.

“It’s been an absolutely terrific day here at Crane. Not only to see the supreme talent that is resident here, but also to see the dedication of the people here. They will go to their last molecule of energy to make our nation safer to bring our people back safe and sound. They do their work through the entire lifecycle of their product – including going down range into Iraq and into Afghanistan to make sure that no detail is overlooked when it comes to the performance of our Navy and our armed services,” Richardson said.

Richardson was accompanied by distinguished guests U.S. Sen. Joseph Donnelly, Rep. Larry Bucshon, Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, Capt. Randell Dykes and other guests.

Donnelly, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee said, “I am honored to host Admiral Richardson in Indiana. Crane is home to extraordinary Hoosiers who are playing a critical role in protecting our national security and equipping our warfighters, and that is why I invited our Chief of Naval Operations to visit.”

During the visit’s press conference, Bucshon explained, “This is a very important visit. I thank the CNO for being here and seeing the amazing work that’s done here by Hoosiers, their commitment to the warfighter and to the mission we have protecting our country.”

NSWC Crane Commanding Officer Capt. Jeffrey Elder said, “It is an honor to have the Chief of Naval Operations visit NSWC Crane and to have this opportunity to demonstrate how our mission supports his four lines of effort. Sen. Donnelly's leadership was instrumental in making this visit happen. We value Donnelly’s continual efforts to advocate for Crane, both in Washington, DC and Indiana, as he is committed to ensuring that DoD leadership is aware of the work we do and its importance to our warfighters.”

NSWC Crane Acting Technical Director Ben Harkness said, “We are honored to have CNO Richardson visit NSWC Crane. This visit provided him a firsthand look at the many ways in which NSWC Crane's technical expertise is providing national leadership and innovative solutions that keep our nation's warfighters safe.”

"Crane is an important part of the Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare Centers and the Naval Research and Development Establishment," said Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, commander, Naval Surface Warfare. "Collectively, we provide cutting-edge technical solutions to build and sustain Naval platforms and systems."

NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with focus areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability, all which provide a decisive advantage for our warfighters.