By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo By Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan – A Madisonvillie, Louisiana native and 2012 Manedville High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile cruiser, USS Antietam.
A Navy fire controlman is responsible for the care of electronic equipment associated with the radar for missiles.
“Louisiana has a strong support for the Navy, it's patriotic," said Wilson. "I lived near a port city with a lot of military history which influenced me in joining 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 United States 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 cruiser 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.
“My dad served in the Navy as a quartermaster after Vietnam and my brother is currently serving as a marine,” said Wilson. “It’s nice to carry on the tradition and I’m proud of the fact that I made it through fire control 'A' school since I’m not normally inclined with electronics.”
Sailors serving abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions, explained Navy officials.
“I believe the Navy provides good oportunity for character development," added Wilson. "It takes me out of my comfort zone which is good thing. Being a sailor removes some of my inhibitions working with others."
A Navy cruiser is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with a vertical launching system, tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a Phalanx close-in weapons system.
Sailors play a vital role in the overall military mission around the world.
"The U.S.-Japan alliance remains the cornerstone for peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region," said Harris.