By U.S. Navy Chief Mass
Communication Specialist Bill Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public
Affairs
PEARL HARBOR - A 2010 Academy
of the New Church High School graduate and Philadelphia 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 Jarrid Andrew-Bryant
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.
“Going on missions and
tracking other countries' ships is fun,” Andrew-Bryant says. “A lot of the
time, we listen to dolphins, shrimp and whales.”
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
submarine warfare insignia, known as “dolphins” on their uniform.
“The Corpus Christi is an
older ship so you get to learn a lot, it's a great training ground,”
Andrew-Bryant said.
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.
“I'm giving back to my
country, but I'm also getting a lot out of it,” added Andrew-Bryant.