By
Petty Officer 3rd Class Abigail Rader, Navy
Public Affairs Support Element
SAN DIEGO – A 1983 Western Cagayan School of Arts and
Trade High School graduate and San Diego, California native is working
for the U.S. Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most
versatile combat ships.
Alfredo Agpaoa is a general supply specialist and a member of the Logistics Support Team which supports both variants of littoral
combat ships based in San Diego.
A Navy general supply specialist is responsible for receipts
processing and fire compliance of all the LCS ships.
“I've been in this program since the begining, and I've
seen every aspects of the LCS,” said Agpaoa. “It's neat to see the the uniqueness
of the manning fo the ships.”
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 love the enviornment, it's very diversified and the
enviornment they set up is great,” said Agpaoa. “There's a lot of friendly
people who work here, and that makes the days go by faster.”
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, Agpaoa 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.
“Continuing to serve for the Navy allows me to work towards an additional retirement, and seeing the
progress of everything since I was serving beforehand is just phenominal,”
added Agpaoa.
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.