By U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communications Specialist Bill
Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR - A 2012 Wheeler High School graduate and Booneville, Mississippi 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
Justin Fulk
is a machinist's mate, nuclear serving
aboard the Pearl Harbor-based submarine, one of 40 Los Angeles-class submarines
making it the backbone of the submarine force.
A Navy machinist's mate,
nuclear is responsible for operation of
the mechanical and thermodynamic aspects of the reactor plant.
“You have to understand the
integration of system components and operations in order keep the ship
operational,” Fulk explained.
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.
“There's a lot of pride
associated with the job,” Fulk said. “We have to fix things that break in the
middle in the ocean. It’s a very
demanding job.”
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.
“When I leave the Navy I
plan to go to college and go into nuclear research and development,” Fulk said.
“I am grateful that the Navy has given me a lot of education in the field I
wanted to pursue, and I plan to bank on that.”