By Navy Office of
Community Outreach
ROTA, Spain – A Fayettville
Manilus High School graduate and Syracuse, New York native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the Arleigh
Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS Donald
Cook.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Ben Whorrall is a gas turbine systems technician (mechanical) 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 gas turbine systems technician (mechanical) is responsible for maintaining the engines that make the ship move.
“I like that I get to work with my hands a lot,” said Whorrall. "The people I work with are also great."
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.
“At this command I get to travel Europe a lot,” said Whorrall. “Seeing
the world is one of the reasons I joined.”
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, Whorrall and other Donald Cook sailors know they are part of a
legacy that will be last beyond their lifetimes.
“I gives me a lot of pride to serve my country because
I feel like I am doing my part,” said Whorrall. "This is the main reason I joined.”