By U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communications Specialist Bill
Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR - A 1998 Amador Valley High School graduate and Pleasanton, 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 1st Class
Michael Fetter
is a sonar technician, submarine 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,
submarine is the eyes and ears of the
ship, responsible for its safety of the ship while underway.
“I'm in charge of a group of
guys that I train up to be expert operators on the stacks [sonar room], build
them into experts so that when we go out to sea we can keep the boat safe and
still perform our mission,” said Fetter.
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.
“The opportunities I've
had on this sub have been phenomenal,” Fetter said. “I've gotten to learn about
electronics repair, gauage calibration for the boat, and I've also taken charge
of training others in how to respond to casualties.”
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 like serving with
others to protect our country, showing our nation how grateful we are,” said Fetter. "Gaining the extra knowledge is just a side benefit, something I’ll take with me when I transition back to being a civilian."