A 1998 Father Duenas Memorial School graduate and Mangilao, Guam native is serving aboard the future USS Tulsa, a littoral combat ship homeported in San Diego.
Lt. Cmdr. David Blas is weapons division department head and is responsible for all the ship’s weapons and weapon systems.“I enjoy the people I work with and the equipment I’m responsible for,” said Blas.
Tulsa is an Independence variant littoral combat ship - a resilient and flexible warship, designed from the keel up to affordably take on new capabilities – from advanced core weapons systems to the latest in trimaran hull design and propulsion systems. Its speed, strength and versatility make it a critical tool to help our Sailors achieve the mission.
Littoral combat ships are a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, while capable of open-ocean tasking, and win against 21st-century coastal threats such as submarines, mines, and swarming small craft.
Blas has carried lessons learned from his hometown into his military service.
“Stay humble, be friendly and treat others with respect," he said.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard Tulsa. Increased automation equals a smaller crew. In the case of LCS 16, that is a core of 70 men and women who keep all parts of the ship running smoothly. Minimally manned crews place high demands on sailors. Each crew member performs a number of tasks outside of their traditional job or area of expertise.
“On any given day Tulsa sailors are asked to perform the duties of two or more Sailors on any other surface ship,” said Cmdr. Drew Borovies, the future USS Tulsa’s commanding officer. “Tulsa’s successes to date are a testament to her sailors’ in depth technical training, willingness to put in long hours to get the job done, and commitment to taking care of their ship and each other. They truly are the best that the Surface Navy has to offer!”
Blas has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My father was a boiler technician third class during the Vietnam War,” said Blas. “He inspired me to give the military a try, since my parents couldn’t afford my first year of college at Regis University in Denver, Colorado, where I majored in Biology under the Pre-Dental program.”
Blas' proudest accomplishment was being able to serve as both an enlisted and commissioned sailor.
“It has given me insight on how both sides think and operate,” he added. “Before receiving my commission, I was a Navy dental technician.”
As a crew member aboard one of the U.S. Navy’s high-tech littoral combat ships, Blas and other Tulsa sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team.
“To me it means being able to serve with a sense of duty and patriotism for the defense of our nation,” said Blas. “I have learned to appreciate the skills, training, education, travel opportunities, medical coverage, pay, benefits and leadership opportunities the Navy has provided me.”
Tulsa is the fifteenth littoral combat ship to enter the fleet and the eighth of the Independence variant. It will be the second ship to be named to honor the city and citizens of Tulsa – Oklahoma’s second largest city. During its February 16, 2019 commissioning ceremony in San Francisco, the warship will be officially placed into active service. The ceremony includes “bringing the ship to life” and other orders rooted in centuries old naval tradition.
For information about the commissioning ceremony, visit https://www.usstulsa.org/.