Navy Office of Community Outreach
SASEBO, Japan – A Columbus, Ohio, native and 2014 Grove City High School graduate is serving in Japan in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the forward-deployed mine countermeasures ship, USS Pioneer.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Colin Nicholson is a quartermaster 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 quartermaster is responsible to stand watch as assistants to officers of the deck and the navigator; serve as helmsman and perform ship control, navigation and bridge watch duties. They also procure, correct, use and stow navigational and oceanographic publications and oceanographic charts. They maintain navigational instruments and keep correct navigational time.
Nicholson is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Columbus.
“Working hard is something I brought into the Navy from my hometown that was learned from my high school baseball coach," said Nicholson. "He instilled the values of hard work and the reality that one person cannot do it all.”
Nicholson’s proudest accomplishment is being named the Bluejacket of the Quarter during fiscal year 2018.
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, Pioneer is 224 feet long and weighs approximately 1,300 tons. Pioneer 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 fun because you are the first to the fight," said Nicholson. "You get to defend your country and take part in the action that you joined the Navy to do. The Navy gives me a better sense of commitment, learning to be the best, and to give 100 percent all the time until the mission is met.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Nicholson 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 is a big responsibility," said Nicholson. "I feel like I am doing something for the greatness of our people and that’s something that I take a lot of pride in.”
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.
Nicholson is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Columbus.
“Working hard is something I brought into the Navy from my hometown that was learned from my high school baseball coach," said Nicholson. "He instilled the values of hard work and the reality that one person cannot do it all.”
Nicholson’s proudest accomplishment is being named the Bluejacket of the Quarter during fiscal year 2018.
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, Pioneer is 224 feet long and weighs approximately 1,300 tons. Pioneer 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 fun because you are the first to the fight," said Nicholson. "You get to defend your country and take part in the action that you joined the Navy to do. The Navy gives me a better sense of commitment, learning to be the best, and to give 100 percent all the time until the mission is met.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Nicholson 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 is a big responsibility," said Nicholson. "I feel like I am doing something for the greatness of our people and that’s something that I take a lot of pride in.”
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.