U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rusty Pang
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – Most Americans rely on weather forecasts to plan their daily routine. The U.S. Navy is no different. With numerous ships, submarines and airplanes deployed in the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s area of operations, sailors stationed at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, make it their primary mission to monitor extreme weather conditions in support of the fleet’s daily operations.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Khristian Ebreo, a 2014 Radford High School graduate, in Honolulu, and native of San Diego has served in the Navy for three years and is one of these sailors serving at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Pearl Harbor.Ebreo credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in San Diego.
“My dad, being in the Navy, really showed us how to work hard for what you want and I've applied that to my Navy career,” said Ebreo.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center Detachment provides aviation weather support for the INDOPACOM area of responsibility and resource protection to ensure safety of flight and operations for Atsugi, Japan; Commander Fleet Activities Okinawa; Commander Fleet.
As a Navy information systems technician, Ebreo is responsible for the upkeep, configuration and reliable operations of computer systems.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs 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.
“Naval Oceanography defines and applies the physical environment for the entire Navy fleet from the bottom of the ocean to the stars,” said Rear Adm. John Okon, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. “There isn't a plane that flies, a ship or a submarine that gets underway without the sailors and civilians of Naval Oceanography.”
The U.S. Pacific Fleet is the world’s largest fleet command, encompassing 100 million square miles, nearly half the Earth’s surface, from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle and from the West Coast of the United States into the Indian Ocean.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Ebreo is most proud of earning the information warfare qualification.
“I'm most proud of earning this at my first duty station where I advanced to second class petty officer within three years,” said Ebreo.
Being stationed in Hawaii, often referred to in defense circles as the gateway to the Pacific, means Ebreo is serving in a part of the world taking on a new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
The Pacific is home to more than 50 percent of the world's population, many of the world's largest and smallest economies, several of the world's largest militaries, and many U.S. allies. The Navy has been pivotal in helping maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region for decades.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Ebreo, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Ebreo is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My dad served in the Navy for 20 years,” said Ebreo. “I always looked up to him and was always fascinated with the amazing things he got while he was in. My twin brother joined a couple of months before I did and seeing him accomplish things in a short amount of time really motivated me to achieve great things in the Navy.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Ebreo and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I have great satisfaction in what I do and what I am able to provide for our Navy,” added Ebreo. “To be able to accomplish so much in my short time in is also a good perk. Serving in the Navy has made me proud, especially when I got to take the watch when my dad retired. Knowing that I am following in my dad's footsteps and making him and my mom proud is all I could ask.”