By U.S. Navy Chief Mass
Communication Specialist Bill Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR – A 2012 Lake View High School
graduate and Battle Creek, Michigan native is serving in the U.S. Navy
aboard one of the Navy’s newest attack submarines, the USS North Carolina.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Duhkimkhar Bualteng is an electronics
technician (nuclear) 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 electronics
technicianis responsible for ensuring
proper operation of the reactor
controls, instrumentation and equipment.
“My job allows me to learn a lot and I use it, day to day, on and off the boat,” said Bualteng.
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.
“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.
“The amount of
job satisfaction that you get from working in a place that nobody knows what is
being done is one of the things that makes this job special,” said Bualteng. “We
are the silent service.”
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 believe that
we are trying to do something good in the world, and making a difference, and
that means a lot to me,” said Bualteng.