Future threats will likely emerge in places and in ways that are not yet fully clear.  For these and other undefined future operational challenges, we must be able to take maximum advantage of the established and widely accepted navigational rights the Law of the Sea Convention codifies to get us to the fight rapidly.

Strategic mobility is more important than ever.  The oceans are fundamental to that maneuverability; joining the Convention supports the freedom to get to the fight, twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week, without a permission slip.

The Convention provides a stable and predictable legal regime within which to conduct our operations today, and realize our vision for the future.  It will allow us to take a leading role in future developments in the law to ensure they are compatible with our vision.