Navy Office of Community Outreach
SASEBO, Japan – – A Topeka, Kansas, native and 2005 Shawnee Heights High School graduate is serving in Japan in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the forward-deployed mine countermeasures ship, USS Chief.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Clifton Boyd 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 to perform their duties at sea aboard minesweepers assisting in the detection and neutralization of underwater mines. They are also responsible for safe storage, handling and loading of mines for transporting.
Boyd is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Topeka.
“Growing up I learned the importance of being a people's person,” said Boyd.
Boyd’s accomplishments include the Korean Defense Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal for aid in the Philippines.
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, Chief is 224 feet long and weighs approximately 1,300 tons. Chief 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.
“It’s great being forward deployed because the culture out here in Japan is amazing," said Boyd. "It’s great camaraderie here with the crew. The Navy has taught me a lot of new experiences and a chance to visit places I never thought I would have the chance to visit. I’ve been around the world twice.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Boyd 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 being a part of something bigger than myself and helping other people in need and helping others to better themselves,” said Boyd.
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 to perform their duties at sea aboard minesweepers assisting in the detection and neutralization of underwater mines. They are also responsible for safe storage, handling and loading of mines for transporting.
Boyd is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Topeka.
“Growing up I learned the importance of being a people's person,” said Boyd.
Boyd’s accomplishments include the Korean Defense Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal for aid in the Philippines.
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, Chief is 224 feet long and weighs approximately 1,300 tons. Chief 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.
“It’s great being forward deployed because the culture out here in Japan is amazing," said Boyd. "It’s great camaraderie here with the crew. The Navy has taught me a lot of new experiences and a chance to visit places I never thought I would have the chance to visit. I’ve been around the world twice.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Boyd 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 being a part of something bigger than myself and helping other people in need and helping others to better themselves,” said Boyd.
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.