Navy Office of Community Outreach
YOKOSUKA, Japan – A Valencia, California, native and 2012 Valencia High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy with Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15).
YOKOSUKA, Japan – A Valencia, California, native and 2012 Valencia High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy with Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15).
Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Stawecki is an operations specialist serving with DESRON 15, forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.
A Navy operations specialist is responsible for operating the communications, radar, and navigation equipment that tracks ships, aircraft, and enemy missiles and communicates tactical information to supervisors and other operators.
Stawecki is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Valencia.
A Navy operations specialist is responsible for operating the communications, radar, and navigation equipment that tracks ships, aircraft, and enemy missiles and communicates tactical information to supervisors and other operators.
Stawecki is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Valencia.
“Where I'm from there's a sense of community," said Stawecki. "I've carried that with me into the Navy where we all look out for each other and have a strong sense of camaraderie.”
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 feel proud of serving with this command just because where we're located and what our role and mission is out here,” said Stawecki.
Stawecki is also proud of receiving a commendation medal at his previous command. He did not expect the event to happen but when he did he felt that he was prepared to spring into action and assist.
“You make a difference every day,” said Deputy Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Joey Dodgen. “We are the most prepared, highly trained and the most capable force in the Indo Pacific. Our carriers, amphibious assault ships, aircraft and most importantly, our people, are ready today to face regional challenges and lead our Navy’s forces in this theater, just as the officers and sailors of 7th Fleet have done for 75 years. So thank you for all that you do.”
The mission of the DESRON 15 is to conduct underway operations and exercise tactical control of destroyers during peace and wartime operations.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Stawecki and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I was a teenager when I joined the Navy so it has helped me mature,” said Stawescki. “It made me proud of who I have become and that I'm part of something bigger than myself. Serving at the command has given me a chance to represent the United States in a foreign region and I feel like that is something special,” said Stawecki.
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.
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 feel proud of serving with this command just because where we're located and what our role and mission is out here,” said Stawecki.
Stawecki is also proud of receiving a commendation medal at his previous command. He did not expect the event to happen but when he did he felt that he was prepared to spring into action and assist.
“You make a difference every day,” said Deputy Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Joey Dodgen. “We are the most prepared, highly trained and the most capable force in the Indo Pacific. Our carriers, amphibious assault ships, aircraft and most importantly, our people, are ready today to face regional challenges and lead our Navy’s forces in this theater, just as the officers and sailors of 7th Fleet have done for 75 years. So thank you for all that you do.”
The mission of the DESRON 15 is to conduct underway operations and exercise tactical control of destroyers during peace and wartime operations.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Stawecki and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I was a teenager when I joined the Navy so it has helped me mature,” said Stawescki. “It made me proud of who I have become and that I'm part of something bigger than myself. Serving at the command has given me a chance to represent the United States in a foreign region and I feel like that is something special,” said Stawecki.
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.