by Lt. Wes Holzapfel, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Zhan
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – As the nation prepares to observe the 16th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, a 1987 Palatka High School graduate and Palatka, Florida native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard a ship built using steel from the World Trade Center.
Master Chief Petty Officer Sandra Dyal is the Command Master Chief aboard USS New York, and is responsible for all aspects of human resources for the ship. USS New York, one of the Navy’s newest and most advanced amphibious ships, is designed to deliver Marines and their equipment where they are needed to support a variety of missions ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian relief efforts.
“My parents instilled a strong work ethic in me,” said Dyal. “Standing up for people who may not have it as good as you do is one of the things I pride myself in doing. Even if you’re the only person that sees the right in something, you should stand up for it.”
Serving onboard the New York means different things for different people.
“I hope that I represent the Sailors and Marines that are onboard because they are what make the ship what it is,” said Dyal. “The steel and structure are made from the towers, but after that it is the Sailors and Marines from the USS New York that make it what is is. Even if they are not from New York themselves, they become a New Yorker.”
Homeported in Mayport, Florida, USS New York, named for the state of New York, is longer than two football fields at 684 feet, is 105 feet wide and weighs more than 24,000 tons. It has four diesel engines that can push the ship through the water in excess of 26 mph.
According to the Navy, New York’s bow, forged from steel salvaged from the wreckage of the 9/11 World Trade Center attack, embodies the strength and determination of the people of the United States: to recover, rally, and take the fight to the enemy and honor the memory of those who were affected by the attacks. USS New York forges an enduring alliance between the people of New York, the ship, and her crew
Serving in the Navy and aboard New York, Dyal is constantly learning how to be the best leader, Sailor and person possible by handling numerous responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and forging lasting professional relationships.
“My worth comes from how many people advance,” said Dyal. “My goal is to help everyone promote one or two pay grades. We are up to 80 promotions this year, and enlisted results come out soon. I want to get us to over 100.”
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard USS New York. More than 400 men and women make up the ship's crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from washing dishes and preparing meals to handling weaponry and maintaining the engines. An additional 700 Marines can be embarked. New York is capable of transporting the Marines and landing them where they are needed via helicopters, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and landing craft.
“It’s a ship like no other,” said Capt. Todd Vandegrift, commanding officer, USS New York. “It represents the fighting spirit and resiliency of our Navy and Nation. While 9/11 maybe a distant memory for many, the events of that day are ever present before the crew and they shape the service and performance of each Sailor. The USS New York is at the forefront of readiness, amphibious operations and warfighting innovation. From being the ship of choice for the most demanding mission, to the highest scores in the amphibious transport dock (LPD) fleet during the USS New York’s recent Board of Inspection and Survey Inspections Material Condition Inspection, this ship and its crew leads the LPD fleet. It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to help guide and mold these young men and women’s futures.”
Collectively, the San Antonio-class ships will functionally replace more than 41 ships providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern sea-based platforms. Amphibious transport dock ships are warships that embark, transport, and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions. These ships support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions and can serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious ready groups. Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice as well.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s high-tech amphibious assault ships, Dyal and other New York sailors are proud to part of a warfighting team that embodies the spirit, strength and resilience of the American people.
“Serving my country truly feels like a journey to me,” added Dyal. “What organization can you be a part of where you can live all over Asia, the Mediterranean, and both the East and West Coasts? I have toured and experienced cultures all over the world and made amazing friends everywhere. The military gives us the education, life and work certification experience. It is important that I share this because no other organization does it like the Navy does. I feel I represent women and what we can do and how we can obtain in a male dominated culture. It’s more than representing a flag. It’s more than representing a nation. It’s representing people that aren’t able to serve.”