By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Zahn, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
YOKOSUKA – A Nogales, Arizona, native and 2016 Nogales High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy forward-deployed aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS John S. McCain.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Mike Murrietta is a gas turbine systems technician (mechanical) aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer operating out of Yokosuka, Japan. The ship routinely deploys to protect alliances, enhance partnerships, and be ready to respond if a natural disaster occurs in the region.
A Navy gas turbine systems technician (mechanical) is responsible for operating, repairing and performing maintenance on mechanical components of gas turbine engines, main propulsion machinery including gears, shafts and propellers.
Murrietta is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Nogales.
“I've learned to be humble from the people back home,” said Murrietta. “I've also learned the value of family and friends. Even when I'm deployed and working, I always find time to contact friends and family and to let them know how I'm doing.”
Moments like that makes it worth serving around the world ready at all times to defend America’s interests. 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. The Navy's presence in Yokosuka is part of that long-standing commitment, explained Navy officials.
“I love being out on the ocean and being stationed here provides me that opportunity because we are always out to sea,” said Murrietta. “Being deployed here is hard work, but when we are underway it's good to notice that your hard work pays off in the end. It's good to see everyone doing their part to help keep the mission going."
Murrietta is also proud of the work he does. He enjoys playing a vital role in the upkeep of the gas-turbine engines which is an important job aboard the ship.
Destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. They are 510 feet long and armed with tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, Standard Missile-3 and newer variants of the SM missile family, advanced gun systems and close-in gun systems. Destroyers are deployed globally and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, or amphibious readiness groups. Their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is the precondition for everything else the Navy does. It cannot project power, secure the commons, deter aggression, or assure allies without the ability to control the seas when and where desired.
USS John S. McCain has anti-aircraft capability armed with long range missiles intended for air defense to counter the threat to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and tactical ballistic missiles.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Murrietta and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
"I feel like serving in the Navy has taught me to have a sense of pride and ownership for something, like the ship,” said Murrietta. “My favorite part about serving at this command is being out to sea. I love the ocean and being able to experience it on a ship is great. Whenever I have a minute I always go to the outside decks where I get a chance to just enjoy the fresh air and the views.”
Seventh Fleet, which is celebrating its 75th year in 2018, spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. Seventh Fleet's area of operation encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 Sailors in the 7th Fleet.