By
Kayla Good, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
SAN DIEGO – A 2005 Number Two High School,
China graduate and San Francisco native is serving in the U.S.
Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most versatile combat
ships.
Seaman Xiaoyu Xiong is a logistics specialist and a member of the Logistics Support Team which supports both variants of littoral
combat ships based in San Diego.
A Navy logistics specialist is responsible for receiving
supply for the ships.
“I am good at numbers so I am able to use those skills
to meet the mission goals,” said Xiong.
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.
“The relationships you build at this command are really
nice,” said Xiong. “Everyone is very helpful.”
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, Xiong 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.
“The Navy has given me a stable
future,” added Xiong. “I have been able to build strong relationships with
leaders. I have been given new experiences. I was also able to grow up very
fast and mature since joining the Navy.”
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.