By Navy
Office of Community Outreach
ROTA, Spain –
A Ceadar
Ridge High School graduate and Round Rock,
Texas native is serving in the U.S. Navy
aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS Donald Cook.
Fireman Vanessa Arnold
is a damage controlman 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 damage controlman is responsible for being a shipboard firefighter and teaching people the
proper techniques to fight a fire.
“We ensure
the ship is able to defend itself in the event of a fire or casualty,” said Arnold.
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.
“The thing I
like most about serving at this command is the people I work with,” said Arnold.
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, Arnold and other Donald Cook
sailors know they are part of a legacy that will be last beyond their
lifetimes.
“I like serving in the Navy because I get to help
people,” said Arnold. “It makes me
feel great to do what I do.”