By U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communications Specialist Bill
Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR - A 2007 graduate
of Bayonne High School in Bayonne, New Jersey and New York native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard
one of the world’s most advanced nuclear-powered fast attack submarines, USS Cheyenne.
Lt. Dave Henson
is an assistant engineer serving aboard
the Pearl Harbor-based submarine, one of 40 Los Angeles-class submarines making
it the backbone of the submarine force.
A Navy assistant engineer
is responsible for ensuring that all engineering
evolutions are going well on the submarine.
“A lot of the work I do involves
planning,” Henson said. “I get a lot of satisfaction seeing guys complete tasks
that we've spent a lot of time planning out.”
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.
“You get to know a lot of people, more so than any other platform in the Navy,” Henson said. “Good interrelationships with guys breaks the robotic supervisor-worker relationship. You're relying on the guy next you. If you don't, the deployment's going to be hard.”
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 it's about making
my family proud,” added Henson. "I've got two daughters, and they're proud of what I do, they see me come back for the homecomings. That's what drives me to continue serving in the military."