By
Petty Officer 3rd Class Abigail Rader Navy
Public Affairs Support Element
SAN DIEGO – A 1998 Pacific High School graduate
and San Bernardino, California native is serving
in the U.S. Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most
versatile combat ships.
Petty
Officer 1st Class Clarence Jones is a gunner's mate and a member of Commander, LCS Squadron One which
supports
both variants of littoral combat ships
based in San Diego.
As a Navy gunner's mate he is
part of a
training team for littoral combat squadron, specializing in training Navy
boarding teams and weapons systems aboard ships.
“Even though I'm shore duty, it still gives me an
opportunity to go out to the field and train crews of LCS ships,” said Jones. “I
enjoy training others to do their job effectively for when they go out to the
fleet.”
The LCS platform has a unique manning concept called
“3-2-1,” where three crews serve aboard two different littoral combat ships,
one of which is deployed. This
innovative manning concept allows the LCS to spend
more time forward deployed without overtaxing the crew, according to Navy
officials.
Designed to
defeat threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft, littoral combat ships are a bold departure from
traditional Navy shipbuilding programs. The LCS sustainment strategy was developed
to take into account the unique design and manning of LCS and its associated
mission modules.
“I have a pretty good chain of command, when stuff needs
to get done it will get done,” said Jones. “Leadership looks out for their
junior sailors, to where junior sailors look up to their chain of command.”
According to
Navy officials, the path to becoming an LCS sailor is a long one. Following an 18-month training pipeline,
sailors have to qualify on a simulator that is nearly identical to the ship. This intense and realistic training pipeline
allows sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities immediately upon
stepping onboard.
"Sailors that work aboard this platform are expected to
be capable of performing a variety of tasks to assist in the completion of the
LCS mission," said Capt. Warren R Buller, Commander, LCS Squadron One.
"The training that is required of our sailors is
rigorous and difficult. This ensures that they are mission ready to defend and
protect America at all times."
As a service
member supporting the LCS mission, Jones explained they are building a legacy that
will last beyond their lifetimes. Sailors know how important it is for the Navy
to develop new war fighting capabilities to continue their success on the
world’s oceans.
“When I joined the Navy, I
came in with the idea to serve my country the best that I can,” added Jones. “When
I took the oath, I took every word seriously, and I plan on carrying out the oath
until the day I retire.”
Through
innovative planning, the design of systems, and crew requirements, the LCS
platform allows the fleet to increase forward presence and optimize its
personnel, improving the ability of the Navy to be where it matters, when it
matters.