By U.S. Navy Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Steve
Watterworth, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR - A 2008 Tucker
High School graduate and Atlanta, Georgia native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard
one of the world’s most advanced nuclear-powered fast attack submarines, USS Cheyenne.
Petty
Officer 3rd Class Simon Mesfin
is an electronics technician, radioman
serving aboard the Pearl Harbor-based submarine, one of 40 Los Angeles-class
submarines making it the backbone of the submarine force.
A Navy electronics technician, radioman is responsible
for maintaining electronics
equipment, receiving messages and transmitting messages on and off the ship.
“We're entrusted with
handing classified information on a daily basis, so the level of responsibility
is high in this position,” said Mesfin.
With a crew of 130, this
submarine is 360 feet long and weighs approximately 6,900 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.
“I’m the second person in my
family to serve in the military, so I guess I wanted to prove to myself
something,” said Mesfin. "It's been a personal journey, it's been tough, but rewarding."
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.
“I am grateful for the opportunity the Navy
has given me to protect people and allow them
live their lives with a sense of security,” added Mesfin.