By U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communications Specialist Bill
Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
PEARL
HARBOR – A 2009 graduate of Mongtomery High School in New Jersey and Ambler, Pennsylvania native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the Navy’s newest attack
submarines, the North Carolina.
Lt. j.g. Daniel Shen is an electrical
assistant aboard the Pearl Harbor-based boat, one of only 12
Virginia-class attack submarines in the Navy’s fleet. The Virginia class is comprised of the Navy’s
newest and most advanced subs.
A Navy electrical assistant is responsible for all electrical equipment, electrical safety controls,
and electrical maintainance aboard ship.
“Everyone aboard is great to work with, and everyone is
smart and they know what they're doing, which a couple hundred feet underwater
is pretty important,” Shen said.
With a
crew of 130, this submarine is 377 feet long and weighs approximately 7,800
tons. A nuclear-powered propulsion
system helps push the submarine through the water at more than 25 mph.
Attack submarines are designed to hunt down
and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with
cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; carry out intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. Their primary tactical advantage is stealth,
operating undetected under the sea for long periods of time.
“Submarine sailors never cease to amaze
me with their ability to complete complex missions in the world’s most
challenging environments,” said Rear Adm. Fritz Roegge, Commander, Submarine
Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “Continued U.S. undersea superiority is not possible
without their dedication, expertise and professionalism.”
According
to Navy officials, because of the demanding environment aboard submarines,
personnel are accepted only after rigorous testing and observation. Submariners
are some of the most highly trained and skilled people in the Navy. The training
is highly technical, and each crew has to be able to operate, maintain, and
repair every system or piece of equipment on board. Regardless of their specialty, everyone also
has to learn how everything on the ship works and how to respond in emergencies
to become “qualified in submarines” and earn the right to wear the coveted gold
or silver dolphins on their uniform.
“Being on a submarine is a really unique experience
that not many people I know have had,” said Shen. “It's unique in the sense that
only those who have served aboard submarines can relate.”
Challenging
submarine living conditions actually build strong fellowship among the elite crew,
Navy officials explained. The crews are
highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work,
watches, and drills.
“It's a tough but really rewarding job,” Shen said. “It's
the hardest thing I've ever done.”