By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Theodore Quintana, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SASEBO, Japan – – A Houston native and 2015 Eastwood Academy High School graduate is serving in Japan in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the forward-deployed mine countermeasures ship, USS Warrior.
Fireman Apprentice Daniel Hernandezflores is a damage controlman 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 damage controlman is responsible for performing organizational and intermediate level maintenance and repairing of damage control equipment and systems.
Hernandezflores is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Houston.
“Growing up I learned that its important to always look for ways to improve and that transferred to the Navy very well,” said Hernandezflores.
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, Warrior is 224 feet long and weighs approximately 1,300 tons. Warrior 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 exciting, it's interesting getting to know this culture here in Japan and I am excited to get to travel,” said Hernandezflores.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Hernandezflores and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy has made me have a better sense of purpose and has given me more confidence,” said Hernandezflores. “Serving in the Navy is a way to work on yourself and give back to your country. I get to see what I am made of and it is molding me into a better person.”
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 damage controlman is responsible for performing organizational and intermediate level maintenance and repairing of damage control equipment and systems.
Hernandezflores is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Houston.
“Growing up I learned that its important to always look for ways to improve and that transferred to the Navy very well,” said Hernandezflores.
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, Warrior is 224 feet long and weighs approximately 1,300 tons. Warrior 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 exciting, it's interesting getting to know this culture here in Japan and I am excited to get to travel,” said Hernandezflores.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Hernandezflores and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy has made me have a better sense of purpose and has given me more confidence,” said Hernandezflores. “Serving in the Navy is a way to work on yourself and give back to your country. I get to see what I am made of and it is molding me into a better person.”
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.