By U.S. Navy Chief Mass
Communication Specialist Bill Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public
Affairs
PEARL HARBOR - A 2011 Mosley
High School graduate and Panama City, Florida 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.
Petty Officer 2nd Class
Timothy Warfield is an electronics technician (nuclear) 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
is responsible for operation and maintenance of the nuclear reactor’s
circuitry.
“The opportunites and
training we get is very useful on the civilian side, especially if you want to
work in the civilian sector,” Warfield said. “I got two years of training
before I got here, but here you actually get to see it and apply what you've
learned.”
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.
“She’s [Corpus Christi] a pretty
old boat, so stuff breaks more,” said Warfield. “I’ve gotten to know the other
ETs [electronics technicians] in my division, so if something does break we
work together to get it fixed.”
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.
“My service aligns with my
future goal of becoming a computer engineer, so it's great background for when
I go to college,” Warfield said.