By U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communication Specialist Bill
Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
PEARL
HARBOR – A 2012 Hancock Place High School graduate and St. Louis native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the
Navy’s newest attack submarines, the USS North
Carolina.
Seaman Nathan Vineyard is an electronics
technician (submarine, communications) aboard the Pearl Harbor-based
boat, one of only 12 Virginia-class attack submarines in the Navy’s fleet. The Virginia class is comprised of the Navy’s
newest and most advanced subs.
A Navy electronics technician is responsible for maintaining communications
while underway, and also maintaining the communications equipment.
“I like the different people I get to meet and work
with the most,” said Vineyard.
With a
crew of 130, this submarine is 377 feet long and weighs approximately 7,800
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.
“I like how we're the best—we recently got a 'Battle
E' award, which means we are officially the best submarine in the squadron,”
said Vineyard. “We all come together to get things done on this sub.”
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.
“Being in the Navy has meant being able to do something
bigger than just myself, and I like being able to go places and see the world," added Vineyard. "That's why I joined."