SASEBO, Japan – A Roanoke, Virginia, native and 2017 William Bird High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy with the forward-deployed unit, Naval Beach Unit 7.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Kayla Tolbert is a logistics specialist operating in Sasebo, Japan.
A Navy logistics specialist is responsible for managing inventories of repair parts and general supplies that support ships, squadrons, and shore-based activities. They procure, receive, store and issue material and repair components. They utilize financial accounting and database systems to perform inventory and financial management functions.
Tolbert is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Roanoke.
“Everyone gets along really well in Roanoke and it’s common in the military to help everyone out when you can,” said Tolbert.
Tolbert’s proudest accomplishment is making advancement to petty officer third class out of 'A' school accelerated advancement program.
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.
“I love being forward deployed,” said Tolbert. "We are a tight knit group here and our leadership plans stuff for us so we can do together and I really enjoy that. The Navy has helped me to manage multiple task at a time and I am learning to be more reliable.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Tolbert 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 great and so is doing something bigger than myself," said Tolbert. "I would have never been able to come to Japan to enjoy this experience of a lifetime. It’s something I can share with my kids and grandkids someday. Joining the Navy has been for the greater good of serving this country.”
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.