By Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
Photo by Senior
Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan
– A Grand
Haven, Michigan native and 2012 Grand
Haven High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the
guided missile destroyer, USS Curtis Wilbur.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Julianna Pedroza is a boatswain’s mate 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.
As a Navy boatswain’s
mate, Pedroza is
responsible for training and supervising junior sailors in activities relating to deck and boat seamanship
and overseeing maintenance of the ship's external structure and deck equipment.
“Growing up I learned to
make the most out of my time," said Pedroza. "Back home it snows a lot and winter sometimes
lasts for six months. Making the most out of the summer months has taught me to
make the most of the time in port. Being forward-deployed in Japan, you are
away for long periods of time.”
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.
“Japan is a very exciting
country. Not many people I know back home have had the opportunity to see and
experience what I do every day,” said Pedroza. “Knowing that the entire ship depends on the work I do topside gives me a
sense of satisfaction. I’m proud of the
leadership skills I'm learning every day. It makes an impact on me personally and professionally.”
Sailors serving
abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions,
explained Navy officials.
“I’m proud to serve in America's Navy and being part of something bigger than myself," added Pedroza. "I
appreciate the experiences I’ve had in the Navy so far and can’t wait for the
future.”
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.