By Navy Office of
Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO – A 2005 Cathedral City High School graduate
and Cathedral
City, California native is serving in the U.S.
Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Milius.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Adolfo Fernandez is an operations specialist
aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer operating out of San
Diego, California.
A Navy operations specialist assists in navigation and
gathering information using radars.
“I feel at home in my job because you're using a computer, and
I'm very comfortable using computers,” said Fernandez. “It's something I know.”
Commissioned in November of 1996, Milius measures
approximately 500 feet and is powered by four gas turbines that allow the
destroyer to achieve over 30 mph in open seas. Destroyers are tactical
multi-mission surface combatants capable of conducting anti-air warfare,
anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, as well as humanitarian
assistance. Fast, maneuverable, and technically advanced, destroyers provide
the required warfighting expertise and operational flexibility to execute any
tasking overseas.
“Leading Milius sailors is
exceptionally rewarding because they genuinely care for one another as people,”
said Cmdr. Gil Ayan, commanding officer of USS Milius. “They want to see one
another succeed and each of them works toward that collective goal. As a
commanding officer, you can’t ask for a better culture than that.”
With a crew of over 300 sailors, jobs
are highly specialized and keep each part of the destroyer running smoothly,
according to Navy officials. The jobs range from washing dishes
and preparing meals to maintaining engines and handling weaponry.
“The morale and the command climate is what I really
like about this ship,” said Fernandez. “The positive attitudes of everyone is
awesome. The chain of command is very supportive of educational pursuits. I've
served aboard three ships, and this is my favorite by far.”
Challenging living conditions build strong fellowship among
the crew, Navy officials explained. The crew is highly motivated, and quickly
adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches,
and drills.
“My dad was in the Argentinian Navy, and he shared
stories with me encouraging me to join the Navy,” added Fernandez. “For me, it
was a coming of age thing. I felt this would be the place that would give me
the tools to make it a career or move on to something else using what I learned
in the Navy."