By U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communications Specialist Bill
Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR - A 2011 Crenshaw High School graduate and Los Angeles, California 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
Tahj Pinson-Walker
is an auxiliaryman serving aboard the
Pearl Harbor-based submarine, one of 40 Los Angeles-class submarines making it
the backbone of the submarine force.
A Navy auxiliaryman is
responsible for everything from hydraulics to
air to plumbing on a submarine.
“We own the boat,” said
Pinson-Walker. “We’re normally the guys
who do our stuff and nobody bothers us. We like to operate independently. The
deal is, your workload never stops.”
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.
“We're close knit, a lot of these guys I’ve known for years,” Pinson-Walker said. "We have a lot of the same interests and hobbies."
“We're close knit, a lot of these guys I’ve known for years,” Pinson-Walker said. "We have a lot of the same interests and hobbies."
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.
“One of the great things about the Navy is you get to
meet a lot of great people you would have never
met before,” Pinson-Walker added. “And that’s even more the case in the
submariner community.”