SASEBO, Japan – An Austin, Texas, native and 2016 Del Valle High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy with the forward-deployed unit, Naval Beach Unit 7.
Fireman Apprentice Cameron Stuart is an electrician's mate operating in Sasebo, Japan.
A Navy electrician's mate is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the ship's electrical power generation system, lighting system, electrical equipment and electrical appliances.
Stuart is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Austin.
“My mom told me to always keep your head straight and to always learn and ask questions,” said Stuart. “Basically, not being afraid about what’s going on, to have confidence to be able to ask questions.”
Stuart thus far proud to finish his electrician’s mate school and to be a part of unique command such as NBU 7.
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.
Commissioned in August of 2012, Naval Beach Unit 7 was formed to combine the three forward-deployed naval forces detachments in Japan.
Personnel from the command are responsible manning and operating either the landing craft—such as the landing craft air cushion or the landing craft utility—or manage landing operations from the beach.
NBU 7 landing craft serve an important function for the Amphibious Force 7th Fleet in being able to move personnel and equipment from ship to shore.
“I’ve only been here a week so I haven’t really been able to do much but being here brings a lot of opportunities to learn more about my job as an electrician’s mate,” said Stuart. "I’m really excited to learn more. Since getting here everyone’s been really helpful. No one has had any issues in helping me and showing me how things are run around here.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Stuart and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I’ve definitely learned leadership qualities since joining the Navy,” said Stuart. “I was put in a position of authority in my last duty station, so it’s good to be introduced to new things. I joined the Navy because I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I would say it’s an opportunity to learn a new job and meet people I would never have met and worked with.”
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.