By Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
Photo by Senior
Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan
– A Baguio
City, Philippines native and 2010 St.
Louis University Laboratory High School graduate is serving in
the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Curtis Wilbur.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Carylmartie Mabanta is a gas turbine systems technician (electrical) aboard the forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer
operating out of Yokosuka, Japan. Curtis Wilbur
is one of eight destroyers forward-deployed in Yokosuka.
A Navy gas turbine systems technician is
responsible for the electrical parts of gas
turbine engines aboard the ship.
“Growing up in the Philippines I learned to respect your peers," said Mabanta. "I practice that here within the chain of
command and the leadership. I make sure to show the same respect that they give
to me.”
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 U.S. 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 ship 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 grandfather retired
from the Navy. I’m thankful for his service, but more thankful that had he not
served, I wouldn’t be an American today. This is why I joined the Navy,”
said Mabanta. “I'm proud that I have the ability to serve my country,
going on missions and deployments."
Sailors serving
abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions,
explained Navy officials.
“Serving means that my
family will be safe," added Mabanta. "It means that other families will also be safe. Knowing
that I’m out here protecting them back home is reassuring.”
With the ability to conduct anti-air warfare, anti-submarine
warfare and anti-surface warfare, destroyers are capable of sustained maritime
operations supporting forward naval presence, maritime security, sea control,
deterrence of aggressive actions on U.S. partners around the globe, as well as
humanitarian assistance. Fast, maneuverable, and technically advanced,
destroyers provide credible combat power, at and from the sea.