By Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
Photo by Senior
Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan
– A Palos
Verdes, California native and 2012 Palos
Verdes Peninsula High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy
aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Curtis
Wilbur.
Ensign Jordan Bravin is a communications officer
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 communications officer, Bravin is
responsible for the entire communication division aboard the ship. He leads
sailors responsible for all off-ship communication
and maintenance of the ship’s internal network and cryptologic equipment.
“Growing up I learned the importance of commitment to service," said Bravin. "In high school I had many
opportunities to volunteer for local communities. It gave me a great sense of pride.
Giving back is important to me in the Navy today.”
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 had an uncle who served as a reservist during the
Vietnam War and he had a very positive impact on me," said Bravin. "I spent a lot of time with
him growing up. Hearing the background stories and seeing the impact the
military had on his life influenced my decision to join the Navy. I'm proud that I had the
chance to go through a specialized training that allows me to take a team and
board vessels when needed. I like being forward-deployed in this region.
Globally, it’s where the action is."
Sailors serving
abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions,
explained Navy officials.
“Serving in the Navy means fulfilling what I feel is an obligation to give back," added Bravin. "I believe that my
small sacrifice is making a bigger impact in the world.”
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.