By U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist Amanda Rae
Moreno, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
ROTA, Spain – A 2014 Donegal
High School graduate and Lancaster,
Pennsylvania native is serving in the
U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Ross.
Petty Officer 3rd Class
Sarah Welch is a fire controlman
aboard the forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer
operating out of Rota, Spain. Ross is one of four destroyers home ported in
Rota.
A Navy fire controlman
is responsible for maintaining the weapons
control systems on a ship.
“I'm a Tomahawk tech so I
like to know that if the situation ever arose we would be able to defend the
ship," said Welch. "It's a challenging job that I never thought I'd be doing."
Commissioned in June of 1997, the Arleigh Burke-class
guided-missile destroyer, Ross, 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 Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Donald K. Ross.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the attack on Pearl
Harbor.
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 Ross, three other BMD capable ships are forwarded
deployed in Rota: USS Porter, USS Carney and USS Donald Cook. 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.
“Being stationed overseas we
get to go underway a lot of the time, so we get to see a lot of new places and
get first hand experiences with other countries and be advocates for the United
States,” said Welch.
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, Welch explained that he and other
Ross sailors know they are part of a legacy that will be last beyond their
lifetimes.
“With the rise in conflict
between other nations, it's important that we have a greater presence around the
world," said Welch. "Being stationed in Spain allows us to have that presence."