Photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2016 Centennial High School graduate and New Albany, Pennsylvania, native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard USS John Warner, one of the U.S. Navy’s fast-attack submarines.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Keith Brown is an information systems technician aboard the Norfolk-based submarine, one of only 16 Virginia-class fast-attack submarines in the Navy’s fleet.
A Navy information systems technician is responsible for maintaining computers and allowing communications on and off the submarine.
“We talk to a lot of higher ranking individuals and collaborate a lot of new ideas together,” Brown said.
Brown credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in New Albany.
“I came from a middle class family so I really appreciate the financial stability that the Navy gives me,” Brown said.
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 information systems technician is responsible for maintaining computers and allowing communications on and off the submarine.
“We talk to a lot of higher ranking individuals and collaborate a lot of new ideas together,” Brown said.
Brown credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in New Albany.
“I came from a middle class family so I really appreciate the financial stability that the Navy gives me,” Brown said.
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, Brown 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.
“A lot of people here work harder than surface sailors and we take responsibility for more than one part of our job that in return, builds great camaraderie amongst us all,” Brown said.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Brown is most proud of making rank faster than most sailors and able to get to his submarine qualification pin in a short period of only five months.
“Everyone had the same opportunity that I did but I worked harder than most and these accomplishments prove that,” Brown said.
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 means not only serving my country but learning a trade that I will take with me for the rest of my life,” Brown added.
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, Brown 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.
“A lot of people here work harder than surface sailors and we take responsibility for more than one part of our job that in return, builds great camaraderie amongst us all,” Brown said.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Brown is most proud of making rank faster than most sailors and able to get to his submarine qualification pin in a short period of only five months.
“Everyone had the same opportunity that I did but I worked harder than most and these accomplishments prove that,” Brown said.
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 means not only serving my country but learning a trade that I will take with me for the rest of my life,” Brown added.
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.