By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan – A Boston native and 2013 Northeast Metro Tech Vocational School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Curtis Wilbur.
Seaman Sebastian Riveraaguirre is a culinary specialist 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 culinary specialist is responsible for planning, preparing and serving meals for nearly 300 sailors every day. They maintain food service spaces and associated equipment including storerooms and refrigerated spaces.
“Growing up I learned to treat everyone with respect," said Riveraaguirre. "With the relationships you make during your career, you never know who you will meet again so it’s good idea to be kind to everyone.”
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.
“Our work is demanding and I’m proud that I have the ability to keep pushing daily,” said Riveraaguirre. “My brother is currently serving in the Army and I have a cousin who served in the Navy. I look up to my brother and feel like I can relate to him better after experiencing military life myself."
Sailors serving abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions, explained Navy officials.
“Our work is demanding and I’m proud that I have the ability to keep pushing daily,” said Riveraaguirre. “Knowing that I'm supporting my family in a way that no one else can gives me a good feeling and a sense of pride. I’m glad to be here, forward-deployed protecting them.”
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.