Flourtown, Pa. native serves aboard guided missile destroyer in Spain

By U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2^nd Class Amanda Rae Moreno, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

ROTA, Spain – A 2011 La Salle Private High School graduate and Flourtown, Pennsylvania native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Donald Cook.

Ensign Alex Brecht is an auxiliaries officer aboard the forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer operating out of Rota, Spain. Donald Cook is one of four destroyers homeported in Rota.

A Navy auxiliaries officer is responsible for the people who manage the ship’s critical equipment such as systems for fresh water, ship steering, and anchoring.

“The people make this job great," said Brecht. "The people I work with and for are hard-working and care about what they do. The other junior officers on the ship are very tight-knit.”

Commissioned in 1998, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Donald Cook, measures approximately 500 feet and is powered by four gas turbines that allow the destroyer to achieve over 30 mph in open seas. It was named in honor of Donald Cook, a Vietnam War prisoner of war who died in captivity.

This ship has been fitted with the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) capability that enables the ship to conduct long-range surveillance, tracking, and engagement of short and medium-range ballistic missiles.

According to Navy officials, destroyers are tactical multi-mission surface combatants capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, as well as humanitarian assistance. Fast, maneuverable, and technically advanced, destroyers provide the required warfighting expertise and operational flexibility to execute any tasking overseas.

Assigned to U.S. 6th Fleet, sailors are on watch throughout the European region and are important assets supporting the European Phased Adaptive Approach to enhance the security of that area of the world from ballistic missile threats originating in the Middle East.

In addition to Donald Cook, three other BMD capable ships are forwarded deployed in Rota: USS Porter, USS Carney and USS Ross. Having four destroyers based in Rota gives the U.S. 6th Fleet flexibility to send these ships to a variety of locations for a range of missions, while at the same time providing a large umbrella of protection for European allies.

 Approximately 30 officers and 300 enlisted men and women make up the ship's company. Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the cruiser running smoothly, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from washing dishes and preparing meals to maintaining engines and handling weaponry.

“Everyone on the ship cares and works really hard," said Brecht. "The ship gets to go to really cool places while living on the beach in southern Spain. I can’t complain about that!”

Challenging living conditions build strong fellowship among the crew, Navy officials explained. The crew is highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches, and drills.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Brecht explained that he and other Donald Cook sailors know they are part of a legacy that will be last beyond their lifetimes.

“I always wanted to join the Navy since I was very little," added Brecht. "I made the decision to attend the United States Naval Academy early in high school. I always wanted to serve my country and do my part."