SASEBO, Japan – A Philadelphia native and 2007 Martin Luther King High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy with the forward-deployed unit, Naval Beach Unit 7.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Sevon Stepney is a gunner’s mate operating in Sasebo, Japan.
A Navy gunner’s mate is responsible for for the operation and maintenance of guided-missile launching systems, underwater explosive weapons such as torpedoes, rockets and missiles, and the systems used to launch them, gun mounts and other ordnance equipment as well as small arms magazines.
Stepney is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Philadelphia.
“Growing up I learned to remain humble and to strive for greatness to better myself,” said Stepney.
Stepney greatest achievement so far is receiving a Navy Achievement Medal for conducting training and meeting the mission.
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.
“Being forward deployed is challenging, but we accept the presence of who we are overseas," said Stepney. "We are ambassadors of the United States so we get to show who we are to the Japanese people. The Navy has helped me be vocal and upgrade my leadership skills and has caused me to become more patient. I realize there is more to life than what is in Philly and I can work and tour the world.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Stepney 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 means serving the country, taking care of myself, my family, and overall taking care of America,” said Stepney.
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.