By Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
Photo by Senior
Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan
– A Honolulu, California native and 2009 St. Louis High School graduate
is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Curtis Wilbur.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Zachariah Trowbridge is a fire 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.
As a fire controlman,
Trowbridge is
responsible for maintaning the equipment and the operation, routine care and repair of fire control
equipment for the tomahawk missile system.
“Growing up I learned to listen
and respect your elders," said Trowbridge. "This applies in the Navy as well—respecting everyone
in your chain of command is important.”
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 like being in Japan,
the culture and history is really interesting. Not many people I know have had
the opportunity to experience this,” said Trowbridge. “I’m
proud of the work that I do every day and appreciate the sailors I work with."
Sailors serving
abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions,
explained Navy officials.
“Serving in the Navy means
being part of something bigger than myself," added Trowbridge. "It gives me pride knowing that I’m
out here protecting those at home.”
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.