By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert
Zahn, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan – A Fort
Worth, Texas native and 2014 Lamar High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy
aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Curtis Wilbur.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Dwight
McDuff is an
interior communications electrician 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 interior communications electrician directs the installation,
maintenance and repair of interior communications systems on ships and at shore
facilities. These systems include communication systems, indicating and
navigation systems, visual landing aids for aircraft, alarm, safety, and
warning systems.
“I learned from my parents as a
child to always stay posititve and this has helped me throughout my Navy
career,” said McDuff.
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 joined the Navy before my
brother and I have always encouraged him,” said McDuff. “It is good to know
that I continue to have a positive influence on him. I also enjoy volunteering my time
in the ER at the base hospital because I enjoy helping people and the Navy
provides me the opportunity to do that."
Sailors serving abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt
to changing conditions, explained Navy officials.
“I enjoy serving in the Navy
because I know that I am protecting my family and friends back home and knowing
that I am making a difference in the world,” added McDuff.
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.