Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Chula Vista Native serves with the U.S. Navy Half a World Away

By Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Zahn,
Navy Office of Community Outreach

SASEBO, Japan – A Chula Vista, California, native and 2016 Otay Ranch High School graduate is serving in Guam in the U.S. Navy aboard the expeditionary submarine tender, USS Emory S. Land.

Seaman Apprentice Brandon Price is a gunner's mate aboard the Guam-based submarine tender, one of two submarine tenders in the U.S. Navy. The ship routinely deploys to protect alliances, enhance partnerships, and respond if a natural disaster occurs in the region.

A Navy gunner's mate is responsible for the operation and maintenance of guided-missile launching systems, underwater explosive weapons such as torpedoes, rockets and missiles, gun mounts and other ordnance equipment, and small arms magazines.

Price is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Chula Vista.

“My parents were both in the military and they taught me to focus on what you want and to complete it,” said Price. “Don’t wait on anything. If you want something, go out and get it.”

Price’s proudest accomplishment has been being nominated for most outstanding junior sailor for a quarter of the year.

The Emory S. Land made a routine port visit in Sasebo, Japan while conducting an exercise.

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 42 officers and 600 enlisted, submarine tenders are 649 feet long and weigh approximately 23,493 tons. Their mission is to provide maintenance, repairs, hotel services, weapons reload and logistics support to deployed guided-missile and fast-attack submarines. Both of the U.S. Navy’s submarine tenders are homeported in Apra Harbor, Guam, and rotate between deployment to support the forward-operating in the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility and in port in Guam to support in-port and visiting units.

Submarine tenders are additionally capable of providing repair and logistic services to deployed surface ships.

“I feel very excited to be away from home for the first time,” said Price. “I am enjoying being forward deployed. The Navy has allowed me to interact with people from all backgrounds. It gives me a better understanding of what it means to put your differences aside and come together as a team.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Priceand other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.

“I joined the Navy because I wanted to do something that would help people,” said Price. “I feel like I am doing my part.”

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.