By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo By Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan – An Albany, Missouri native and 1991 Albany High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile cruiser, USS Antietam.
Capt. George Kessler, Jr. is the commanding officer aboard the forward deployed Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser operating out of Yokosuka, Japan. Antietam is one of three cruisers forward-deployed in Yokosuka.
As commanding officer, Kessler is responsible for the welfare and training of over 350 sailors as well as the daily operations of a ship valued at over 105 billion dollars.
“In high school I was a part of the Future Farmers of America where I learned to weld," said Kessler. "Subsequently the first job I had as a naval officer was to assess the welds on the JP5 system which forced me to use my welding experience from Albany vs. my degree from the U.S. Naval Academy.”
With more than 50 percent of the world's shipping tonnage and a third of the world's crude oil passing through the region, the United States has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world.
"Our alliance is rooted in shared interests and shared values," said Adm. Harry Harris, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command. "It's not hyperbole to say that the entire world has benefited from the U.S.-Japan alliance. While our alliance helped stabilize the region after the Second World War, it also enabled the Japanese people to bring about an era of unprecedented economic growth. And for the last six decades, our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have worked side by side with the Japan Self Defense Force to protect and advance peace and freedom."
Approximately 300 men and women serve aboard the ship. Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the cruiser running smoothly, according to Navy officials. They do everything from maintaining gas turbine engines and operating the highly sophisticated Aegis weapons system to driving the ship and operating small boats.
Forward-deployed sailors are crucial to the success of the global Navy mission and earn high praise from their leaders.
“My dad was still in the Navy when I joined. I'm the eldest of five kids, all associated with the Navy. Three graduated from the Naval Academy, one graduated from the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and one who is a shipyard machinist,” said Kessler. “I'm most proud of the fact that I have numerous sailors who contunue to advance. I'm still in contact with many of them today and consider everyone I served with in the Navy to be family.”
Sailors serving abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions, explained Navy officials.
“Serving in the Navy means giving back to my country in a way that ensures the freedom that my family and I enjoy," added Kessler. "This gives me pride knowing that this same freedom will carry on to my five kids.”
A Navy cruiser is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with a vertical launching system, tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons systems.
Sailors play a vital role in the overall military mission around the world.
"The U.S.-Japan alliance remains the cornerstone for peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region," said Harris.