By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green,
Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
SASEBO,
Japan – A 2005 Canossa Academy graduate and San Diego native is serving in Japan in the U.S. Navy
aboard one of two forward deployed dock landing ships, USS Germantown.
Fireman Micco Sarmiento is a sailor aboard the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship operating out of Sasebo,
Japan.
A
Navy fireman is
responsible for ensuring the diesel engines are
running at capacity, thereby enabling the ship to get to where in needs to go.
“The
best part of my job is working with the engines,” said Sarmiento. “I like working
on engines because so many repairs are different, which means a lot of learning
opportunities.”
With more than
50 percent of the world's shipping tonnage and a third of the world's crude oil
passing through the region, the United States has historic and enduring
interests in this part of the world. The
Navy's presence in Sasebo is part of that long-standing commitment.
Commissioned
in 1986, Germantown is the second Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship. This
is the second Navy ship named after the Revolutionary War Battle of Germantown.
With
a crew of more than 900 sailors and Marines, Germantown is 609 feet long and
weighs approximately 16,000 tons. Designed specifically to operate landing
craft air cushion small craft vessels, Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships
have the largest capacity for these landing craft out of any U.S. Navy
amphibious ship.
"Today’s sailors never cease to
amaze me with the energy and effort they give, particularly in the fast-paced
forward deployed Navy,” said Cmdr. Severn B. Stevens III, Commanding Officer of
USS Germantown. “Their endless dedication to excellence, while at work and on
liberty, makes me proud to be in command of Germantown and this crew.”
Germantown
sailors work rigorous hours filled with drills and training to assure that the
ship remains mission ready. Their efforts were recently validated by earning
the 2015 Battle Effectiveness Award with a clean sweep of all five Command
Excellence Awards.
“Being
forward deployed means that I have the responsibility of representing this
country in a foreign nation,” said Sarmiento.
Navy
officials explain that sea duty is inherently arduous and challenging but it
builds strong fellowship and esprit de corps among members of the crew. The
crew is highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy
life of specialized work, watches, and drills.
“I am
honored to serve in the Navy and be part of this big institution," said Sarmiento. "I am
thankful for the opportunities it has given me."