By U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communications Specialist Bill
Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR - A 2011 William Blount High School graduate and Friendsville, Tennessee native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the world’s most advanced
nuclear-powered fast attack submarines, USS Cheyenne.
Petty Officer 3rd Class
Conor Flinn
is an electronics technician, radioman
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, radioman is responsible for communications
on and off the boat, and handles all incoming and outgoing messages.
“We have a locked door we can
hide behind, and we're entrusted to handle top secret info, which is cool,” said
Flinn. “Dealing with all the classified
material, you have to be very careful handling that.”
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.
“I've got my best friends aboard this sub,” Flinn said.
“The camaraderie is great. There's so little of us in such a small space, you
get to know everyone really well. On surface ships, you don't get that.
Challenging submarine living
conditions actually build strong fellowship among the elite crew, Navy offficials explained. The crews are highly
motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work,
watches, and drills.
“The military teaches you
discipline and how to work with others, something you don't get in college,”
added Flinn. “I feel like I'm leaps and bounds ahead of everyone I graduated high school
with. I've already had a lot of responsibility from an early age.”