By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Zahn, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SASEBO, Japan – A Salinas, California, native and 2015 North Salinas High School graduate is serving in Japan in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the forward-deployed mine countermeasures ship, USS Warrior.
Fireman Armando Ramirez is an engineman 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 engineman is responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing internal-combustion engines, main propulsion machinery, refrigeration, air conditioning, gas turbine engines, and assigned auxiliary equipment on Navy ships; stand safety watches on auxiliary boilers and other assigned equipment.
Ramirez is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Salinas.
“I learned from my family to treat others the way you want to be treated,” said Ramirez.
Ramirez thus far is proud of receiving the Warrior of the Month when he first arrived to the ship. He was awarded by the captain of the ship for his hard work and military bearing. It keeps him motivated to see that his chain of command noticed his hard work.
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.
“It’s very different being deployed here but at the same time it’s nice because I enjoy being in Japan, it’s peaceful and quiet here,” said Ramirez.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Ramirez and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I feel like since joining the Navy I have a better work ethic. I have confidence in myself and talking to people and speaking up for myself,” said Ramirez. “I’ve become of better person in the Navy. I hope that I’m a positive impact to my siblings.”
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.
“I learned from my family to treat others the way you want to be treated,” said Ramirez.
Ramirez thus far is proud of receiving the Warrior of the Month when he first arrived to the ship. He was awarded by the captain of the ship for his hard work and military bearing. It keeps him motivated to see that his chain of command noticed his hard work.
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.
“It’s very different being deployed here but at the same time it’s nice because I enjoy being in Japan, it’s peaceful and quiet here,” said Ramirez.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Ramirez and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I feel like since joining the Navy I have a better work ethic. I have confidence in myself and talking to people and speaking up for myself,” said Ramirez. “I’ve become of better person in the Navy. I hope that I’m a positive impact to my siblings.”
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.