SAN DIEGO – A 2012 Mountain View High School graduate and Bend, Oregon, native is serving aboard the WWII namesake warship, USS Spruance.
Ensign Lindsey Westfall is the main propulsion mechanical officer aboard the San Diego based ship, a guided missile destroyer.
As the main propulsion mechanical officer, Westfall is responsible for working with the departmental chief and leading petty officer to ensure the proper operation of the main propulsion system and gas turbine engines, are running both effectively and efficiently so Spruance is mission ready at all times.
More than 300 Sailors serve aboard the ship and their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
Westfall has carried lessons learned from her hometown into her military service.
“I had a mentor, retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brock, who always told me it was 'gut-check time' every time I go through a stressful period,” she said. “This mentality helps me push forward and complete everyday tasks at hand.”
Destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. They are about 510 feet long and can be armed with tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, variants of the SM missile family, advanced gun systems and close-in gun systems. Destroyers are deployed globally and can operate independently, as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, or amphibious readiness groups.
Spruance is armed with long range missiles intended for air defense to counter threats to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and ballistic missiles.
It was commissioned in 2011 and named after Admiral Raymond A. Spruance. He was a key naval commander during WWII, leading U.S. naval forces during two of the most significant naval battles that took place in the Pacific Theatre: Battle of Midway and Battle of the Philippine Sea. He later served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines.
At Midway, Spruance scored the first major victory for the United States over Japan; generally considered to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific.
“USS Spruance is responsible for 22 mission areas, with 350 people onboard each Sailor actively supports multiple missions," said Cmdr. Joshua Menzel, commanding officer of Spruance. “As a member of the Pacific Fleet, the crew of USS Spruance patrol the same waters and trains to perform the same missions as the Sailors Admiral Spruance commanded during WWII.”
Westfall has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“I have one grandfather who retired from the Navy and he was a big influence on why I joined,” she said. “He is very proud of me and there is great camaraderie amongst us, as I am now serving in the Navy as he had. We have the same mindset and I can connect with him on levels that I cannot with others."
"My brother currently serves in the Air National Guard and watching him go through the JROTC program, inspired me to go through it myself," she added. "I ultimately received an ROTC scholarship for all four years and I’m thankful for the opportunity I had. I’m honored to serve my country every day."
Westfall’s proudest accomplishment was receiving the surface warfare qualification pin.
“Receiving my warfare qualification pin took 13 months of studying and being mentored, while doing my job at the same time," she said. "It was demanding but rewarding and it gave me a sense of accomplishment knowing I can achieve any goal I set my mind to."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Westfall and other Spruance sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
“In college, I had the opportunity to meet with different veteran groups throughout the city and heard their stories from serving in the military,” she said. “It's extremely inspirational to know that I will share in their legacy. I also take pride in my oath to support the country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Serving in the Navy is an honor knowing that I’m here to defend the nation for my family and friends back home.”
Ensign Lindsey Westfall is the main propulsion mechanical officer aboard the San Diego based ship, a guided missile destroyer. As the main propulsion mechanical officer, Westfall is responsible for working with the departmental chief and leading petty officer to ensure the proper operation of the main propulsion system and gas turbine engines, are running both effectively and efficiently so Spruance is mission ready at all times.
More than 300 Sailors serve aboard the ship and their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
Westfall has carried lessons learned from her hometown into her military service.
“I had a mentor, retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brock, who always told me it was 'gut-check time' every time I go through a stressful period,” she said. “This mentality helps me push forward and complete everyday tasks at hand.”
Destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. They are about 510 feet long and can be armed with tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, variants of the SM missile family, advanced gun systems and close-in gun systems. Destroyers are deployed globally and can operate independently, as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, or amphibious readiness groups.
Spruance is armed with long range missiles intended for air defense to counter threats to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and ballistic missiles.
It was commissioned in 2011 and named after Admiral Raymond A. Spruance. He was a key naval commander during WWII, leading U.S. naval forces during two of the most significant naval battles that took place in the Pacific Theatre: Battle of Midway and Battle of the Philippine Sea. He later served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines.
At Midway, Spruance scored the first major victory for the United States over Japan; generally considered to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific.
“USS Spruance is responsible for 22 mission areas, with 350 people onboard each Sailor actively supports multiple missions," said Cmdr. Joshua Menzel, commanding officer of Spruance. “As a member of the Pacific Fleet, the crew of USS Spruance patrol the same waters and trains to perform the same missions as the Sailors Admiral Spruance commanded during WWII.”
Westfall has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“I have one grandfather who retired from the Navy and he was a big influence on why I joined,” she said. “He is very proud of me and there is great camaraderie amongst us, as I am now serving in the Navy as he had. We have the same mindset and I can connect with him on levels that I cannot with others."
"My brother currently serves in the Air National Guard and watching him go through the JROTC program, inspired me to go through it myself," she added. "I ultimately received an ROTC scholarship for all four years and I’m thankful for the opportunity I had. I’m honored to serve my country every day."
Westfall’s proudest accomplishment was receiving the surface warfare qualification pin.
“Receiving my warfare qualification pin took 13 months of studying and being mentored, while doing my job at the same time," she said. "It was demanding but rewarding and it gave me a sense of accomplishment knowing I can achieve any goal I set my mind to."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Westfall and other Spruance sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
“In college, I had the opportunity to meet with different veteran groups throughout the city and heard their stories from serving in the military,” she said. “It's extremely inspirational to know that I will share in their legacy. I also take pride in my oath to support the country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Serving in the Navy is an honor knowing that I’m here to defend the nation for my family and friends back home.”