SECDEF walks fine line at NASP

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Six weeks after a Saudi military-trainee killed three sailors that since been termed a terrorist attack by the U.S. Attorney General, the community around Naval Air Station Pensacola, including 140 Saudi students still on base, is trying to adjust to normal life. During a visit to the base Jan. 22, Defense Secretary Mark Esper attempted to walk a careful line by expressing support and understanding for those impacted, while pushing for international military training for ally-partners. Speaking with Gov. Ron DeSantis, Esper said the U.S. is “safer when we have allies and partners,” something DeSantis, who previously said Saudi Arabia will “owe a debt”. DeSantis said at the “same time ... we cannot be bringing people over here who want to do things like this with our country. So, the fact (that DoD) is) taking action on this is very, very significant, and hopefully we get the ducks in the row on that going forward.” Capt. Tim Kinsella Jr., NASP commanding officer, said the community reaction for the remaining Saudi students has been largely positive, and that "people here recognize that (the Saudis) are victims here as well… these are young kids. Now, they feel there is extra scrutiny on them, just because they come from a different place.” He also acknowledged “natural apprehension” among those living on base, saying he and his leadership team have conducted 25 town hall meetings, since the Dec. 6 attack by a Saudi officer that killed three sailors, to hear local concerns and try to address them. On the plane heading down from Washington, Esper also pushed back at the idea that Saudi students should only be allowed to train in their home country: “Right now, that’s not under active consideration.” After the Dec. 6 shooting by the Saudi flight officer trainee at Pensacola, killing three service members and wounding eight others, the Defense Department ordered a security review to sweep not only international students, but to look for holes in a host of security regulations. In a Jan. 17 memo, Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist ordered that non-classroom training can resume once the military services have met certain conditions, including implementing a prohibition on the possession – on/off military property - of privately owned firearms and ammunition by international military students and families. The services must ensure all international students are under continuous monitoring for potentially disqualifying behavior, which is intended to allow U.S. officials to pick up on signs of radicalization or problematic behavior that may not have been recognized when the student entered the training program. As part of Esper’s visit, he met with a number of first responders, including MA3 David Link Jr., part of the base security forces team. Link said his life has returned to normal, but the community is still in shock. "But for the following days … it was heartbreaking, for the three … that didn’t get to go home to see their families.” (Source: Military Times 01/22/20) The Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Activity, HQ’d in Pensacola, is the Navy's agent for international education and training. NETSAFA coordinates training support to international governments and international organizations. As a field activity of the Naval Education and Training Command, also HQ’d in Pensacola, the unit serves as a focal point for all security assistance training program issues, coordination and advice within the Navy. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/01/23/espers-balancing-act-in-pensacola-showing-support-after-shooting-while-encouraging-training-foreign-allies/