By Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
Photo by Senior
Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan
– A Kalamazoo, Michigan native and 2014 Plymouth Christian High School graduate
is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Curtis Wilbur.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Blok is an electrician’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.
A Navy electrician’s
mate is responsible
for the
operation and repair of a ship's electrical power plant and electrical
equipment. He also maintains and repairs power and lighting circuits, distribution
switchboards, generators and motors.
“During summers in high
school I worked carpentry which taught me to use my hands. I learned that
following through to finish what I started is important,” said Blok. “These
same values are applied every day with my job in the Navy.”
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.
“In the Navy you get to work
with good people and learn many different skills. I’d never have these
opportunities as a civilian,” said
Blok. “As an electrician’s mate,
I take pride in my day to day work.”
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 Blok. "Knowing that I’m protecting people
back home is rewarding to me.”
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.