By U.S. Navy Chief Mass
Communication Specialist Bill Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public
Affairs
PEARL HARBOR - A 2012 Thunder
Mountain High School graduate and Juneau, Alaska 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.
Seaman Jito Vasquez is a
sonar technician serving aboard the Pearl Harbor-based submarine, one of 40 Los
Angeles-class submarines making it the backbone of the submarine force.
A Navy sonar technician is
the eyes and ears of the submarine while underway.
“It’s interesting learning
the fundamentals of sound and how it interacts in an ocean environment and what
you can get out of it in terms of navigation, and acoustical intelligence,”
Vasquez said, the latter referring to the gathering of data from other ships and
sea life.
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 relationships you have
with the crew, it's very personal yet at the same time very professional,"
said Vasquez. "It's helped me learn how to relate to people better."
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.
“For me, joining the Navy was
an opportunity to figure out what I wanted to do in my life, and it's been an
awesome opportunity,” Vasquez said. “Being in the Navy gives me a lot of
pride.”