Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Darryl Wood
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2013 Beddingfield High School graduate and Wilson, North Carolina, native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the Navy’s fast attack submarines, USS Newport News.
Petty Officer 3rd Class James Hudson is a fire control technician aboard the Norfolk-based submarine.
A Navy fire control technician is responsible for performing maintenance on submarine combat control systems equipment and operating non-tactical computer systems and peripherals.
“The people I get to work with is why I love this job,” said Hudson. “There is a real sense of brotherhood in the submarine community. The friendships I have made and the places I have traveled will stay with me throughout my life.”
Newport News is a nuclear- powered fast attack submarine class designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. Their primary tactical advantage is stealth, operating undetected under the sea for long periods of time.
With a crew of 130, this submarine is 361 feet long and displaces approximately 7,800 tons. Newport News’ 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 that 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, 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,” said Vice Adm. Chas Richard, Commander, Submarine Forces. “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.”
Hudson represents the fourth generation to serve in the military but the first to join the submarine service.
“My father served in Desert Storm aboard USS Gunston Hall,” said Hudson. “My great-uncle served in Vietnam, and I had two great-great-uncles who served in the Korean War and WWII’s Italy Campaign.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Hudson is most proud of being a submariner.
“Keeping the submarine safe while executing the mission, for me that is what I take pride in,” said Hudson. “Each of us on this crew knows the submariner next to him will do their best whether the job is a routine task or being performed on an extended deployment.”
Submariners are some of the most highly-trained and skilled Sailors in the Navy. The training programs are highly technical to ensure each crew has to be able to operate, maintain, and repair every system or piece of equipment on board.
Regardless of their specialty, every submariner also has to learn how every system on the submarine works and how to respond in emergencies. To become qualified in submarines is challenging, however it earns the sailor the right to wear the coveted “dolphins” and a life-long respect among colleagues and veterans.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Hudson 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 originally attended East Carolina University, majoring in Information Technology but after a year, decided the academic pursuit did not provide the adventure I was looking for,” said Hudson. “I joined the Navy and found the submarine service provided the education and challenge I was looking for.”
With only 130 elite sailors assigned, submarine crews build strong fellowship, are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions. A career as in submarines is a life of specialized work, unique missions, and some of the most advanced training in the Navy.
Hudson’s mother, Patricia Hudson, resides in Wilson, North Carolina.
A Navy fire control technician is responsible for performing maintenance on submarine combat control systems equipment and operating non-tactical computer systems and peripherals.
“The people I get to work with is why I love this job,” said Hudson. “There is a real sense of brotherhood in the submarine community. The friendships I have made and the places I have traveled will stay with me throughout my life.”
Newport News is a nuclear- powered fast attack submarine class designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. Their primary tactical advantage is stealth, operating undetected under the sea for long periods of time.
With a crew of 130, this submarine is 361 feet long and displaces approximately 7,800 tons. Newport News’ 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 that 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, 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,” said Vice Adm. Chas Richard, Commander, Submarine Forces. “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.”
Hudson represents the fourth generation to serve in the military but the first to join the submarine service.
“My father served in Desert Storm aboard USS Gunston Hall,” said Hudson. “My great-uncle served in Vietnam, and I had two great-great-uncles who served in the Korean War and WWII’s Italy Campaign.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Hudson is most proud of being a submariner.
“Keeping the submarine safe while executing the mission, for me that is what I take pride in,” said Hudson. “Each of us on this crew knows the submariner next to him will do their best whether the job is a routine task or being performed on an extended deployment.”
Submariners are some of the most highly-trained and skilled Sailors in the Navy. The training programs are highly technical to ensure each crew has to be able to operate, maintain, and repair every system or piece of equipment on board.
Regardless of their specialty, every submariner also has to learn how every system on the submarine works and how to respond in emergencies. To become qualified in submarines is challenging, however it earns the sailor the right to wear the coveted “dolphins” and a life-long respect among colleagues and veterans.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Hudson 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 originally attended East Carolina University, majoring in Information Technology but after a year, decided the academic pursuit did not provide the adventure I was looking for,” said Hudson. “I joined the Navy and found the submarine service provided the education and challenge I was looking for.”
With only 130 elite sailors assigned, submarine crews build strong fellowship, are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions. A career as in submarines is a life of specialized work, unique missions, and some of the most advanced training in the Navy.
Hudson’s mother, Patricia Hudson, resides in Wilson, North Carolina.