By Navy Office of Community
Outreach
ROTA, Spain – A Wichita
Falls High School graduate and Wichita Falls, Texas
native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided
missile destroyer, USS Donald Cook.
Petty Officer 1st Class William Trent
is an operations specialist 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 operations specialist is responsible for providing
technical information to fighter aircraft when needed.
“I like the fast pace environment and the amount of work that comes
with it,” said Trent. "It is a non-stop job.
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.
“I enjoy being forward-deployed in Spain," said Trent. "It is awesome and not that many people get a chance to do what I am doing here."
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, Trent
and other Donald Cook
sailors know they are part of a legacy that will be last beyond their
lifetimes.
“For me, serving in the Navy is an honor and a
tradition I am following in my family,” said Trent. “I have many family members that have served.”