By Navy Office of Community Outreach
ROTA, Spain – A University of
Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate and Chattanooga,
Tennessee native is serving in the U.S.
Navy aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS Donald Cook.
Seaman Jessica Ferguson
is a hospital corpsman 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 hospital corpsman is
responsible for the health and well-being of the crew.
“The best thing about my job
is taking care of people,” said Ferguson.
Commissioned in 1998, the
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Donald
Cook, is 509 feet long; the length of more than 3 football fields. The
ship is named after Donald cook, a Vietnam War prisoner
of war who died in captivity.
Donald Cook is a
tactical multi-mission surface combatant capable of conducting anti-air
submarine surface warfare in conjunction with being outfitted with aegis
ballistic missile defense capabilities.
BMD enables the ship to conduct long-range surveillance, tracking, and
engagement of short and medium-range ballistic missiles.
"Donald Cook is Sixth Fleet's
premier forward deployed unit with an extremely high operational tempo," said Cmdr. Timothy Moore, commanding officer aboard USS Donald Cook. "My sailors continue to impress me with how hard they work, the pride they
possess and the dedication they show day in and day out in the execution of
their duties. Being able to command a ship with such a great group of
professional sailors is an enduring honor and a privilege."
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. The jobs range from maintaining engines
to handling weaponry and everything in between.
“What I like best about
serving on this ship is the opportunity to travel,” said Ferguson.
Although it is difficult for most people to imagine living
on a ship, the challenging living conditions build strong fellowship among the
crew. 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, Ferguson and other Donald Cook sailors know they are part of a
legacy that will be last beyond their lifetimes.
“Serving in the Navy gives me
pride knowing I can help people and be there for them,” said Ferguson.