By Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
Photo by Senior
Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan
– A Caguas, Puerto Rico native and 2008 Republica de Costa Rica
High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the
guided missile destroyer, USS Curtis Wilbur.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Tacia Marquez
Alvarez is a damage controlman 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 damage
controlman is
responsible for the ships survivability using firefighting
and dewater equipment and making sure the ship stays afloat and sustains any
casualties.
“Growing up I learned to always
keep pushing forward and never give up," said Marquez Alvarez. "As a damage controlman, we have that
same mentality—to never give up the ship.”
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.
“I love the difference in
cultrure here in Japan, the hospitality of the people is definitely beyond
words--they’re so nice here. The scenery is breathtaking with all the mountains,”
said Marquez Alvarez. “Working
on the ship, I feel that I've set higher
standards for females. I see a lot of engineering jobs performed by females
aboard and that gives me a great sense of pride."
Sailors serving
abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions,
explained Navy officials.
“Serving here means that I’m a step closer towards my goal to become a commissioned officer,"added Marquez Alvarez. "I chose to
serve as an enlisted sailor first to experience the reality of the Navy. I like being a part of something bigger than myself.”
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.