 During his speech at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., Secnav Ray Mabes outlined his four priorities, people, platforms, power and partnerships. This month's focus is platforms. The number of ships and submarines and aircraft in our fleet is what gives us the capacity to provide our global presence. We have the most advanced platforms in the world, but quantity also has a quality to maintain our essential presence and all that brings platforms matter. In 2001, the Navy's fleet had 315 ships. In 2008, there were 278. Mabes said he plans to have 300 ships in the fleet by 2019. We'll bring you more on his priorities throughout the rest of the year. From the Defense Media Activity, I'm Petty Officer Brandy Wills.