By U.S. Navy Chief Mass
Communication Specialist Bill Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public
Affairs
PEARL HARBOR - A 2006
Collierville High School graduate and Collierville, Tennessee native is serving
in the U.S. Navy as part of a crew working aboard one of the world’s most
advanced nuclear-powered fast attack submarines, USS City of Corpus Christi.
Lt.j.g. Joshua Williams is an
electrical assisant serving aboard the Pearl Harbor-based submarine, one of 40
Los Angeles-class submarines making it the backbone of the submarine force.
A Navy electrical assisant
officer is responsible for making sure all of the sub's electrical equipment is
properly functioning.
“If these vital systems
aren’t working right or break down, then the sub can't complete it's mission,”
Williams said. “I never knew much about electronics before I got here so my
experience on the Corpus Christi has greatly expanded my technical expertise.”
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.
“It's a great platform for
cultivating leadership and organizational skills,” said Williams.
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 enjoy the teamwork, the
openness, of life aboard a submarine, and this boat has a really good balance
between engineering and leadership roles," Williams added. "It makes
things a lot more interesting."