By Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
Photo by Senior
Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan- A 1988 Santa
Rosa High School graduate and Santa Rosa, California native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Blue Ridge.
Capt. Brett Crozier is the commanding officer aboard the forward-deployed amphibious
command ship operating out of Yokosuka, Japan.
As commanding officer, Crozier
is responsible for managing a crew of 600 sailors in order to execute the
mission providing command and control for Commander Seventh Fleet and its
staff. His ship also provides communication connectivity in order to command
forces across the pacific.
“Growing up I learned the
importance of hard work, treating everyone with respect and doing the right
thing, with integrity which goes along way in the Navy,” said Crozier.
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."
USS Blue Ridge serves as
the flagship for the U.S. Seventh Fleet. It is one of only two U.S. Navy command
ships in the world, providing command and control for fleet commanders.
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 Air
Force which provided me exposure to military life," said Crozier. "More importantly, I was
drawn to aviation, which was the primary reason for me joining the military—so
I could fly in the Navy. I’m honored that even though we come from such
diverse backgrounds, we are able to work together towards one mission."
Sailors serving abroad in
Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions, explained
Navy officials.
“I'm proud of the level of
professionalism and mentorship that I see every day," added Crozier. "Being forward-deployed I
witness my sailors interact with our host nation as well as other foreign
nations in order to support the Seventh Fleet's mission. They represent American
values at their finest and help demonstrate those values across the world.”
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.