By
Petty Officer 3rd Class Abigail Rader,
Navy Public Affairs Support Element
SAN DIEGO – A 2006 Moses E. Molina High School
graduate and Dallas 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 1st Class Christopher Wilson
is
a operations specialist and
a member of Commander, LCS Squadron One
which supports
both variants of littoral combat ships
based in San Diego.
A Navy operations specialist is responsible for operational
support of the littoral combat ships by monitoring all the ships movements, and
message traffic, rotational crews and detachments of the ships.
“We have operational control of all LCS flag ships,”
said Wilson. “I love knowing where everything's at in the world.”
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.
“This command is really diverse,” said Wilson. “We have
people here from every type of platform. The LCS program is always evolving,
since it's new to the Navy. It's always changing rapidly, like the Navy. It's a
different challenge every day, and I enjoy the challenge.”
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, Wilson 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.
“The Navy means everything
to me,” added Wilson. “I'm able to provide not only for myself, but for my
family as well. It has changed me a lot, for the better.”
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.