By Lt. Philip Fortnam, Navy Office of Community
Outreach Public Affairs
ROTA, Spain – A 2004 Central High School graduate and Philadelphia native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS
Donald Cook.
Petty Officer 3rd Class
Tahelia Pinnock is a fire controlman aboard the forward-deployed
Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer operating out of Rota, Spain. Donald
Cook is one of four destroyers home ported in Rota.
A Navy fire controlman
maintains the control mechanism used in weapon systems on combat ships. Complex
electronic, electrical and hydraulic equipment is required to ensure the
accuracy of Navy guided-missile and surface gunfire control systems. They are
responsible for the operation, routine care and repair of fire control
equipment.
“I like the hands-on aspect
of working on the weapons; taking them apart and putting them back,”
said Pinnock. “When someone asks me what a fire controlman does, I tell them I work with
all kinds of weapons from small arms to the Close in Weapons System. When they
ask what that is I say, if you know R2D2 from Stars Wars you know what CIWS
is.”
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.
“It's good crew," said Pinnock. "I get to
meet a variety of people and I'm always learning something new."
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, Pinnock explained that she and
other Donald Cook sailors know they are part of a legacy that will be last
beyond their lifetimes.
“Before I joined the Navy, I
worked as a chemist," added Pinnock. "I wanted to do something different so I joined the Navy to
see the world and help people, and I have done both."