By
Kayla Good, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
SAN DIEGO – A 2005 Scarborough High School
graduate and Scarborough, Maine native is serving
in the U.S. Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most
versatile combat ships.
Lt. Ashley Gebicke is a surface warfare officer and a member of Commander, LCS Squadron One which
supports
both variants of littoral combat ships
based in San Diego.
As a Navy surface warfare officer she is the mission liaison officer and public affairs officer.
“I like being able to support the crews,” said Gebicke.
“By serving these crews that are so adaptable, mission oriented and competent,
we are helping them go forward and introduce littoral combat ships 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.
“This command has the best leadership,” said Gebicke. “They
are supportive and encouraging. It is a friendly, active command that I really
appreciate.”
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, Gebicke 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.
“Serving in the Navy is an
incredible honor,” added Gebicke. “I've never felt as proud to be an American as
when I was underway aboard a ship, walking around an aircraft carrier or
standing watch aboard a destroyer. It is a great privilege and one to say I am
proud to have.”
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.