By Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
Photo by Senior
Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan
– A Pago
Pago, American Samoa native and 2012 Samoana
High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the
guided missile destroyer, USS Curtis Wilbur.
Seaman Epifania Hisatake is serving 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.
Hisatake is responsible for activities relating to deck
and boat seamanship and overseeing maintenance of the ship's external structure
and deck equipment.
“I grew up learning how to
do chores at a young age. This same work ethic applies directly to what I do
every day in the Navy,” said Hisatake.
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 have three sisters who
are prior Army," said Hisatake. "They had a big influence on my decision to join the Navy. They
were all very hard workers and I saw how much they enjoyed the military. I
believe I’m following in their footsteps with my career which gives me a sense
of satisfaction. I’m proud of the fact
that I’m the first of my family to cross the globe being in Japan. I like the
traditions here in Japan. It's very different from the typical American culture
that I’m familiar with. I believe it’s good to learn other cultures when we
can.”
Sailors serving
abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions,
explained Navy officials.
“Serving in the Navy means being a part of something bigger than yourself and giving back to your
country," added Hisatake. "I appreciate where I came from and who I am now.”
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.