Cabot native serves aboard guided missile cruiser in Japan

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward

YOKOSUKA, Japan – A Cabot, Arkansas native and 2010 Cabot High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile cruiser, USS Chancellorsville.

Ensign Matthew Duncan division officer responsible for operation intelligence aboard the forward deployed Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser operating out of Yokosuka, Japan. Chancellorsville is one of three cruisers forward-deployed in Yokosuka.

Duncan is responsible for maintaining and managing operations intelligence and running the ships operational schedule -- determining where it goes and what it does. He also reinforces the ship's safe navigation.

“As the division officer, I have the opportunity to lead other sailors every day,” said Duncan. "Watching them grow and advance personally and professionally is rewarding 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 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 served in the Air Force,” said Duncan. "He had a direct impact on me. His character, the way he carried himself and his work ethic influenced me in a positive way. He always had a mindset of getting things done the correct way. This same mindset carries over to my daily life on the ship."

Sailors serving abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions, explained Navy officials.

“Serving in the Navy to me means giving back,” added Duncan. "One of the reasons I joined the Navy is to support my family and everyone else who served before me."

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 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.