Photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward
NORFOLK, Va. – A 1995 Lake Highlands High School graduate and Dallas native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard USS John Warner, one of the U.S. Navy’s fast-attack submarines.
Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Keep is a navigational electronics technician aboard the Norfolk-based submarine, one of only 16 Virginia-class fast-attack submarines in the Navy’s fleet.
A Navy navigation electronics technician is responsible for preparing for and conducting basic submarine navigation and piloting evolutions. He also serves as the assistant navigation officer in charge of operation, intelligence, and navigational voyage planning in a 3D world.
"I love the challenge in planning for every event possible in order to get the ship when and where it has to be,” Keep said. “It's more than just time, speed, and distance, it’s any possibility the mission might require.”
With a crew of 130, this submarine is 377 feet long and displaces approximately 7,800 tons. John Warner’s nuclear-powered propulsion system helps push the submarine through the water at more than 25 mph and to depths greater than 800 feet.
A key element of the Navy’s mission is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our submarines continue to provide access with influence,” said Vice Adm. Chas Richard, Commander, Submarine Forces. “Our elite force is charged by our nation with exploiting unique undersea advantages to provide the United States influence, especially far forward where other forces cannot complete the mission, and where persistent undersea concealment provides unique access. We use that access and undersea concealment to provide unique intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of national interests, and, if necessary, we are ready to use our undersea advantage to conduct strike warfare ashore, conduct theater and unit-level anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and perform other missions such as employing special forces.”
USS John Warner returned from an overseas deployment in July, which included combat operations in April, launching Tomahawk cruise missiles in targeted strikes against Syrian military facilities.
A Navy navigation electronics technician is responsible for preparing for and conducting basic submarine navigation and piloting evolutions. He also serves as the assistant navigation officer in charge of operation, intelligence, and navigational voyage planning in a 3D world.
"I love the challenge in planning for every event possible in order to get the ship when and where it has to be,” Keep said. “It's more than just time, speed, and distance, it’s any possibility the mission might require.”
With a crew of 130, this submarine is 377 feet long and displaces approximately 7,800 tons. John Warner’s nuclear-powered propulsion system helps push the submarine through the water at more than 25 mph and to depths greater than 800 feet.
A key element of the Navy’s mission is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our submarines continue to provide access with influence,” said Vice Adm. Chas Richard, Commander, Submarine Forces. “Our elite force is charged by our nation with exploiting unique undersea advantages to provide the United States influence, especially far forward where other forces cannot complete the mission, and where persistent undersea concealment provides unique access. We use that access and undersea concealment to provide unique intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of national interests, and, if necessary, we are ready to use our undersea advantage to conduct strike warfare ashore, conduct theater and unit-level anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and perform other missions such as employing special forces.”
USS John Warner returned from an overseas deployment in July, which included combat operations in April, launching Tomahawk cruise missiles in targeted strikes against Syrian military facilities.
During this maiden deployment, sailors sailed more than 30,000 nautical miles and conducted port visits in Greece, Scotland, Spain and the United Kingdom. The crew also sailed above the Arctic Circle.
"Being the commanding officer of one of our nation's submarines is the honor of a lifetime,” said Cmdr. Will Wiley, commanding officer of John Warner. “I come to work every day with a smile on my face because of the outstanding men and women I have the opportunity to serve with on USS John Warner who all volunteered to keep our country safe."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Keep and his fellow submariners 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.
"I appreciate the camaraderie and brotherhood in this command,” Keep said. “Seeing sailors get to know and interact with one another is something you don’t see on other ships or commands. From the most junior to the captain, knowing the guy next to you can save your life and you can save his is unprecedented.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Keep is most proud of watching his leading petty officer make chief and advance based on a lot of hard work.
“My ‘number one’ sailor received a great deal of mentorship, training, and motivation,” Keep said. “It gave me a great sense of satisfaction seeing him promote.”
Submariners are some of the most highly-trained and skilled sailors in the Navy. The training programs are highly technical to ensure each crewmember is able to operate, maintain and repair every system and piece of equipment on the submarine.
“Serving in the Navy is an honor and privilege that is felt every time I put on the uniform,” Keep added. “I believe I’m carrying on the tradition of every chief petty offer throughout history. I try to hold myself to the same standard that they did.”
With only 130 elite sailors assigned, submarine crews build strong fellowship, are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions. A career as a submariner is a life of specialized work, unique missions and some of the most advanced training in the Navy.
"Being the commanding officer of one of our nation's submarines is the honor of a lifetime,” said Cmdr. Will Wiley, commanding officer of John Warner. “I come to work every day with a smile on my face because of the outstanding men and women I have the opportunity to serve with on USS John Warner who all volunteered to keep our country safe."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Keep and his fellow submariners 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.
"I appreciate the camaraderie and brotherhood in this command,” Keep said. “Seeing sailors get to know and interact with one another is something you don’t see on other ships or commands. From the most junior to the captain, knowing the guy next to you can save your life and you can save his is unprecedented.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Keep is most proud of watching his leading petty officer make chief and advance based on a lot of hard work.
“My ‘number one’ sailor received a great deal of mentorship, training, and motivation,” Keep said. “It gave me a great sense of satisfaction seeing him promote.”
Submariners are some of the most highly-trained and skilled sailors in the Navy. The training programs are highly technical to ensure each crewmember is able to operate, maintain and repair every system and piece of equipment on the submarine.
“Serving in the Navy is an honor and privilege that is felt every time I put on the uniform,” Keep added. “I believe I’m carrying on the tradition of every chief petty offer throughout history. I try to hold myself to the same standard that they did.”
With only 130 elite sailors assigned, submarine crews build strong fellowship, are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions. A career as a submariner is a life of specialized work, unique missions and some of the most advanced training in the Navy.