By
Petty Officer 3rd Class Abigail Rader, Navy
Public Affairs Support Element
SAN DIEGO – A 2006 Bogan High School
graduate and Chicago native is serving in the U.S.
Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most versatile combat
ships.
Petty
Officer 3rd Class Christopher Edmondson is a logistics specialist and a member of the Logistics Support Team which supports both variants of littoral
combat ships based in San Diego.
A Navy logistics apecialist is responsible for all the
logistic needs of the LCS ships..
“I like knowing that my input adds to the big picture
of the Navy,” said Edmondson. “It adds gratification to what I'm doing, seeing
that.”
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.
“It's exciting working with the newest class of ships
that the Navy is putting out in the fleet,” said Edmondson.
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, Edmondson 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.
“Serving in the Navy means
I'm paying forward freedom to my children and my grandchildren,” added Edmondson.
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.