by ICEX Public Affairs
ARCTIC CIRCLE - A 2009 Bainbridge High School graduate and Bainbridge Island, Washington, native recently participated in a unique Navy mission at the top of the world aboard one of the world’s most advanced nuclear-powered fast attack submarines, USS Hartford (SSN 768).
Navy Lt. j.g. Trevor Torres is serving aboard one of 40 Los Angeles-class submarines in the U.S. Navy. Hartford is one of two U.S. submarines that participated in the Navy’s biennial Ice Exercise (ICEX) above the Arctic Circle. The ICEX is designed to give submarines and opportunity to train and maintain readiness in the unique, ice-covers waters of the Arctic Ocean.
Torres manages all the finances, between two to three million dollars on average and manages Amazon.com and work centers around the ship. He places orders for any kind of parts and equipment and makes sure the items arrive on time and in good shape. Additionally, he manages the ship’s galley, ordering, stowing, and cooking some of the finest food the Navy has to offer and all the while, deep under sea or rocking around on the surface.
When asked about his favorite part of his job, Torres said, “Seeing all the parts that are ordered arrive on the pier. Some of these high priority parts come in and turning over the item to a work center is an awesome feeling. Everybody wins because my guys have accomplished something great, and we get to go underway safely with all of our equipment working.”
The Hartford Sailors who participated in ICEX transited 7,000 miles through icebergs and frigid water to reach the exercise location in the Beaufort Sea. Navigating Arctic waters is no easy feat because of constant salinity and cold water changes and the ice above makes surfacing a complicated task.
During the five-week ICEX, participants conducted multiple Arctic transits, surfaced near the North Pole, collected scientific data and learned from multiple training evolutions. The Sailors practiced key skills and tested new Navy technology, tactics and procedures (TTPs) that will ensure that not only Hartford can operate in the Arctic, but that other submarines and TTP developers in the force learn from their experience and feedback.
During the exercise, Torres will stand watch eight hours a day in addition to his supply officer role. He will manage the contacts on all the ship’s sensors, providing recommendations to the officer of the deck as to where and when it should turn, if it needs to go faster or slower, to deconflict passage through and under water, and when transiting through busy areas on the surface into port.
Hartford, with a crew of 142 Sailors, is 360-feet long and weighs approximately 6,900 tons. A nuclear-powered propulsion system helps push the submarine through the water at nearly 30 mph.
Attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare.
Torres’ proudest accomplishment on deployment is being a part of something greater than himself.
“I don’t have a direct role in it, but vertically surfacing through the ice in the Arctic Circle is a great feeling,” he added. “Not many people get a chance, let alone submarines in the Navy, for every two years to conduct such impressive operations.”
Submariners are some of the most highly-trained and skilled people in the Navy. The training is highly-technical and each crew has to be able to operate, maintain, and repair every system or piece of equipment on board. Regardless of their specialty, everyone also has to learn how everything on the ship works and how to respond in emergencies to become “qualified in submarines” and earn the right to wear the coveted gold or silver dolphins on their uniform.
Torres has military ties with family members who previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“Both my grandfathers were in the Air Force; two men I always looked up to,” he said.
When asked why he joined the military, Torres said, “I joined the military to do something exciting and challenging. There are countries all over the world the Navy will take you to that you might not ever consider visiting. It’s a job I knew I could be really proud of. I know the desk job at home in Washington will be waiting.”
Torres’ goal is to start a family in the next few years and move back to Washington State with his wife, Melissa. His hobbies include hiking, camping, rifle and pistol shooting, playing the latest video games, PUBG, with his friends who are now all over the world.
“I have two dogs, Rhea and Wavey, two cats, Penelope and Maltida, at home with my wife,” he added. “She is AWESOME and keeps the zoo together at home while I’m away. I’m extremely lucky she is in my life. She is my rock."
Torres manages all the finances, between two to three million dollars on average and manages Amazon.com and work centers around the ship. He places orders for any kind of parts and equipment and makes sure the items arrive on time and in good shape. Additionally, he manages the ship’s galley, ordering, stowing, and cooking some of the finest food the Navy has to offer and all the while, deep under sea or rocking around on the surface.
When asked about his favorite part of his job, Torres said, “Seeing all the parts that are ordered arrive on the pier. Some of these high priority parts come in and turning over the item to a work center is an awesome feeling. Everybody wins because my guys have accomplished something great, and we get to go underway safely with all of our equipment working.”
The Hartford Sailors who participated in ICEX transited 7,000 miles through icebergs and frigid water to reach the exercise location in the Beaufort Sea. Navigating Arctic waters is no easy feat because of constant salinity and cold water changes and the ice above makes surfacing a complicated task.
During the five-week ICEX, participants conducted multiple Arctic transits, surfaced near the North Pole, collected scientific data and learned from multiple training evolutions. The Sailors practiced key skills and tested new Navy technology, tactics and procedures (TTPs) that will ensure that not only Hartford can operate in the Arctic, but that other submarines and TTP developers in the force learn from their experience and feedback.
During the exercise, Torres will stand watch eight hours a day in addition to his supply officer role. He will manage the contacts on all the ship’s sensors, providing recommendations to the officer of the deck as to where and when it should turn, if it needs to go faster or slower, to deconflict passage through and under water, and when transiting through busy areas on the surface into port.
Hartford, with a crew of 142 Sailors, is 360-feet long and weighs approximately 6,900 tons. A nuclear-powered propulsion system helps push the submarine through the water at nearly 30 mph.
Attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare.
Torres’ proudest accomplishment on deployment is being a part of something greater than himself.
“I don’t have a direct role in it, but vertically surfacing through the ice in the Arctic Circle is a great feeling,” he added. “Not many people get a chance, let alone submarines in the Navy, for every two years to conduct such impressive operations.”
Submariners are some of the most highly-trained and skilled people in the Navy. The training is highly-technical and each crew has to be able to operate, maintain, and repair every system or piece of equipment on board. Regardless of their specialty, everyone also has to learn how everything on the ship works and how to respond in emergencies to become “qualified in submarines” and earn the right to wear the coveted gold or silver dolphins on their uniform.
Torres has military ties with family members who previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“Both my grandfathers were in the Air Force; two men I always looked up to,” he said.
When asked why he joined the military, Torres said, “I joined the military to do something exciting and challenging. There are countries all over the world the Navy will take you to that you might not ever consider visiting. It’s a job I knew I could be really proud of. I know the desk job at home in Washington will be waiting.”
Torres’ goal is to start a family in the next few years and move back to Washington State with his wife, Melissa. His hobbies include hiking, camping, rifle and pistol shooting, playing the latest video games, PUBG, with his friends who are now all over the world.
“I have two dogs, Rhea and Wavey, two cats, Penelope and Maltida, at home with my wife,” he added. “She is AWESOME and keeps the zoo together at home while I’m away. I’m extremely lucky she is in my life. She is my rock."