By
Petty Officer 3rd Class Abigail Rader Navy
Public Affairs Support Element
SAN DIEGO – A 2000 Avon High School graduate
and Avon, Ohio native is serving
in the U.S. Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most
versatile combat ships.
Lt. Adam Quintana is a training liaison officer and a member of Commander, LCS Squadron One which
supports
both variants of littoral combat ships
based in San Diego.
A Navy training liaison officer is responsible for helping
crew with training plans as well as rescheduling as necessary.
“I like dealing with the different people on the crews
and staff,” said Quintana. “I enjoy getting teams together to complete the
mission.”
The LCS platform has a unique manning concept called
“3-2-1,” where three crews serve aboard two different littoral combat ships,
one of which is deployed. This
innovative manning concept allows the LCS to spend
more time forward deployed without overtaxing the crew, according to Navy
officials.
Designed to
defeat threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft, littoral combat ships are a bold departure from traditional
Navy shipbuilding programs. The LCS sustainment strategy was developed to take
into account the unique design and manning of LCS and its associated mission
modules.
“I like that the command is different than any other
command that one would go to,” said Quintana. “What we do at the squadron is
different than anywhere else in the Navy. I get to have my hand in the
different areas of training.”
According to
Navy officials, the path to becoming an LCS sailor is a long one. Following an 18-month training pipeline,
sailors have to qualify on a simulator that is nearly identical to the
ship. This intense and realistic
training pipeline allows sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities
immediately upon stepping onboard.
"Sailors that work aboard this platform are expected to
be capable of performing a variety of tasks to assist in the completion of the
LCS mission," said Capt. Warren R Buller, Commander, LCS Squadron One.
"The training that is required of our sailors is
rigorous and difficult. This ensures that they are mission ready to defend and
protect America at all times."
As a service
member supporting the LCS mission, Quintana explained they are building a legacy
that will last beyond their lifetimes. Sailors know how important it is for the
Navy to develop new war fighting capabilities to continue their success on the
world’s oceans.
“I want to serve my
country and the people in the world,” added Quintana. “I like being able to
protect the citizens of the United States.”
Through
innovative planning, the design of systems, and crew requirements, the LCS
platform allows the fleet to increase forward presence and optimize its
personnel, improving the ability of the Navy to be where it matters, when it
matters.