SASEBO, Japan – A Poynette, Wisconsin, native and 2012 Poynette High School graduate is serving in Japan in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the forward-deployed mine countermeasures ship, USS Warrior.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicholas Butler is a mineman 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 mineman is responsible for assisting in the detection and neutralization of underwater mines. They test various electronic components to ensure proper repair and make sure that the mine works properly. They are also responsible for safe storage, handling and loading of mines for transporting.
Butler is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Poynette.
“I come from a small town, simple life is the best life. The best kind of work is the work that you can do with your hands. I grew up on a farm,” said Butler. “I think the big part of it is the work ethic, growing up in a small town is like serving on a small ship, you get to know everyone, so that helps.”
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, USS Warrior is 224 feet long and weighs approximately 1,300 tons. USS 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 minesweepers 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.
“Even though the workload is different here, I love it here,” said Butler. “I enjoy the crew, I enjoy Japan, I enjoy the base. There’s a lot of access to schools and services. The responsiveness of services on base are great. I wanted to serve in the Navy. I feel like it’s made me more responsible.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Butler and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I’m a fourth generation sailor, my dad, my granddad, and my great granddad were all in the Navy,” said Butler. “My grandmother passed away right after I joined the Navy so I know she was really proud to find out I joined.”
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 mineman is responsible for assisting in the detection and neutralization of underwater mines. They test various electronic components to ensure proper repair and make sure that the mine works properly. They are also responsible for safe storage, handling and loading of mines for transporting.
Butler is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Poynette.
“I come from a small town, simple life is the best life. The best kind of work is the work that you can do with your hands. I grew up on a farm,” said Butler. “I think the big part of it is the work ethic, growing up in a small town is like serving on a small ship, you get to know everyone, so that helps.”
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, USS Warrior is 224 feet long and weighs approximately 1,300 tons. USS 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 minesweepers 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.
“Even though the workload is different here, I love it here,” said Butler. “I enjoy the crew, I enjoy Japan, I enjoy the base. There’s a lot of access to schools and services. The responsiveness of services on base are great. I wanted to serve in the Navy. I feel like it’s made me more responsible.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Butler and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I’m a fourth generation sailor, my dad, my granddad, and my great granddad were all in the Navy,” said Butler. “My grandmother passed away right after I joined the Navy so I know she was really proud to find out I joined.”
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.