By U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communication Specialist Bill
Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR - A 1991
graduate of Kadena High School in Okinawa, Japan
and Edmonds, Washington 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 Santa Fe.
Chief Petty Officer Jason Key
is an electronics technician (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 electronics technician
is responsible for operating and managing
equipment that controls the nuclear reactor.
“The most rewarding part of
my job is coming up with the out-of-the-box solution when the pressure is on to
get a job fixed and nothing seems to be working,” Key said.
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.
“The chain of command has a vested interest in the
sailor's well-being,” Key said.
When the chain of command is good, you find ways to improve people’s
lives while still accomplishing the mission. They mesh those two things well
here.”
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 come from a big military family, all the way from World
War II to Korea, to Vietnam, so I have a lot of pride carrying on that
tradition in my family,” Key added.