Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Senior Chief Gary Ward
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2017 Viera High School graduate and Melbourne, Florida, native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason.
Navy Seaman Christopher Warrix is an operations specialist aboard the warship, based in Norfolk, Virginia. USS Mason is named after Secretary of the Navy John Young Mason and Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient Ensign Newton Henry Mason. A Navy operations specialist is responsible for radar, communications, and navigational systems.
“I like working with my fellow sailors in completing each mission, there is good camaraderie amongst us,” Warrix said.
Warrix credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Melbourne.
“I grew up in a seaside town and it helped me adjust well to being out to sea on Navy ships,” Warrix said.
U.S. Navy sailors, like Warrix, are stationed both stateside and on the high seas aboard surface ships around the world. USS Mason is one of more than 60 ships on the east coast of the United States as part of Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
U.S. Navy ships are deployed globally, and their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is vital to project power, secure common areas, deter aggression and assure allies when and where desired.
Due to its extensive combat capability, the Mason is able to fire Tomahawk Cruise Missiles and other weapons as part of sustained combat operations against targets on and below the sea, in addition to hitting targets hundreds of miles over the land.
The ship is equipped with the Aegis Combat System, which integrates the ship’s electronic sensors and weapons systems to defend against anti-ship missile threats. The ship’s air search and fire control radar provides continuous search and tracking of hundreds targets simultaneously.
The crew of more than 300 sailors build a strong fellowship while working alongside each other. The sailors are highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions as part of a busy life of specialized work, watches and drills.
“There is a lot of cultural diversities here and I like meeting new people from all different walks of life,” Warrix said.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Warrix is most proud of adapting to the hardworking atmosphere on a Navy ship.
“It will help me grow up to be a better person so that in the future, I will achieve my long-term goals on both a professional and personal level,” Warrix said.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Warrix and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means I love my country and I am honored to carry on my family tradition of serving,” Warrix added.