Photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward
NORFOLK, Va. – A 1996 Richmond Community College graduate and Rockingham, North Carolina, native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard USS John Warner, one of the U.S. Navy’s fast-attack submarines.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Solomon Gaston is an electronics technician (navigation) aboard the Norfolk-based submarine, one of only 16 Virginia-class fast-attack submarines in the Navy’s fleet.
A Navy electronics technician (navigation) is a responsible for the safe navigation of the ship, overall communications systems, and maintenance of the ring-laser navigation system.
“I’m good at fixing anything electronic and also I like standing quartermaster of the watch that regards safe navigation of the submarine,” Gaston said.
Gaston credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Rockingham.
“Being in a single-parent household made me grow up a lot faster, and I also had to take on responsibility at a young age,” Gaston said. “This trait helped me become accountable and a better leader in the Navy.”
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 electronics technician (navigation) is a responsible for the safe navigation of the ship, overall communications systems, and maintenance of the ring-laser navigation system.
“I’m good at fixing anything electronic and also I like standing quartermaster of the watch that regards safe navigation of the submarine,” Gaston said.
Gaston credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Rockingham.
“Being in a single-parent household made me grow up a lot faster, and I also had to take on responsibility at a young age,” Gaston said. “This trait helped me become accountable and a better leader in the Navy.”
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, Gaston 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 enjoy being able to work alongside crew members in achieving missions and ensuring we all make it back home successfully,”Gaston said.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Gaston is most proud of being a writer on the USS Albany for a month underway.
“I showed up with a hard work ethic and determination which lead to me in getting my first Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal,” Gaston 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 the morals and values instilled me throughout my career has helped me become a better sailor, husband, and a great father to my kids,” Gaston 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, Gaston 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 enjoy being able to work alongside crew members in achieving missions and ensuring we all make it back home successfully,”Gaston said.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Gaston is most proud of being a writer on the USS Albany for a month underway.
“I showed up with a hard work ethic and determination which lead to me in getting my first Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal,” Gaston 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 the morals and values instilled me throughout my career has helped me become a better sailor, husband, and a great father to my kids,” Gaston 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.