By Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
Photo by Senior
Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan- A 2013 Millennium
High School graduate and Tracy, California native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Blue Ridge.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Kemper is an information systems technician aboard the
forward-deployed amphibious command ship operating out of Yokosuka, Japan.
A Navy information
systems technician is responsible for maintaining radio equipment that
supports communication throughout the entire ship using the latest technology.
“Growing up my dad
introduced me to computers which helped prepare me for my job in the Navy," said Kemper. "I
also learned a lot of financial wisdom from my mom. I’m glad I could apply what
they taught to my life in 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."
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.
“Seeing the many messages and
information that I go through evey day gives me a sense of satisfaction and
duty,” said Kemper.
Sailors serving abroad in
Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions, explained
Navy officials.
“Serving in the Navy means I'm doing my part in keeping our country safe," added Kemper. "I believe that I’m an ambassador for the Navy.”
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.