By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Theodore Quintana, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SASEBO, Japan – – An Alpine, Alabama, native and 2013 Winterboro High School graduate is serving in Japan in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the forward-deployed mine countermeasures ship, USS Patriot.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jacob McCoy is an information systems technician aboard the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship, operating out of Sasebo, Japan. The ship routinely deploys to protect alliances, enhance partnerships, and be ready to respond if a natural disaster occurs in the region.
A Navy information systems technician is responsible for performing core and specialty functions of network administration.
McCoy is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Alpine.
“Growing up I learned teamwork and diversity is a great thing to have," said McCoy. "I had an open mind coming into the Navy. I know how to work with people from different backgrounds.”
Moments like that makes it worth serving around the world ready at all times to defend America’s interests. 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, explained Navy officials.
With a crew of more than 80, Patriot is 224 feet long and weighs approximately 1,300 tons. Patriot is one of the Navy’s 11 Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships that are designed to neutralize mines from vital waterways and harbors. There are four minesweeper in Sasebo as part of the forward-deployed mine countermeasures force that are on-call to respond in the event of a mine-clearing operation in the Indo-Pacific.
MCMs in Sasebo routinely operate with allies and partners to build mine countermeasures proficiency and sustain our alliances.
“Being forward deployed is interesting because you get to see a whole lot of countries, but the hardest thing is being so far away from family,” said McCoy. “The Navy has increased my leadership ability, as well.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, McCoy and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy can be difficult, but it is something that needs to be done," said McCoy. "We need to be here where we are at because we are the first line of defense. Our job here is very important.”
Seventh Fleet, which is celebrating its 75th year in 2018, spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. Seventh Fleet's area of operation encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 sailors in the 7th Fleet.
A Navy information systems technician is responsible for performing core and specialty functions of network administration.
McCoy is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Alpine.
“Growing up I learned teamwork and diversity is a great thing to have," said McCoy. "I had an open mind coming into the Navy. I know how to work with people from different backgrounds.”
Moments like that makes it worth serving around the world ready at all times to defend America’s interests. 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, explained Navy officials.
With a crew of more than 80, Patriot is 224 feet long and weighs approximately 1,300 tons. Patriot is one of the Navy’s 11 Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships that are designed to neutralize mines from vital waterways and harbors. There are four minesweeper in Sasebo as part of the forward-deployed mine countermeasures force that are on-call to respond in the event of a mine-clearing operation in the Indo-Pacific.
MCMs in Sasebo routinely operate with allies and partners to build mine countermeasures proficiency and sustain our alliances.
“Being forward deployed is interesting because you get to see a whole lot of countries, but the hardest thing is being so far away from family,” said McCoy. “The Navy has increased my leadership ability, as well.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, McCoy and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy can be difficult, but it is something that needs to be done," said McCoy. "We need to be here where we are at because we are the first line of defense. Our job here is very important.”
Seventh Fleet, which is celebrating its 75th year in 2018, spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. Seventh Fleet's area of operation encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 sailors in the 7th Fleet.