By U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communication Specialist Bill
Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
PEARL
HARBOR – A 2012 Danville High School graduate and Lexington,
Kentucky native is serving in the U.S. Navy
aboard one of the Navy’s newest attack submarines, the USS North Carolina.
Seaman Allante Whitehead is a fire
control technician aboard the Pearl Harbor-based boat, one of only 12
Virginia-class attack submarines in the Navy’s fleet. The Virginia class is comprised of the Navy’s
newest and most advanced subs.
A Navy fire control technician is responsible for tracking ship contacts, ensuring the safety of the
boat, and developing firing solutions.
“The most enjoyable part of my job is working with the
weapons systems,” said Whitehead. “I've always had a strong interest there.”
With a
crew of 130, this submarine is 377 feet long and weighs approximately 7,800
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 been tough, but I think the way to get through it
is we're all like a big family,” Whitehead
said. “Sometimes we hate each other, sometimes
we love each other, but in the end we work through problems as best we can.”
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.
“A big reason I joined the Navy is that I wanted to get
out and see the world,” Whitehead said.
“My twin brother also joined about a month
before I did, and that motivated me to serve as well. I’ve enjoyed
serving my country.”