By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Zahn, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SASEBO, Japan – – A Williamsburg, Virginia, native and 2012 Walsingham Academy graduate is serving in Japan in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the forward-deployed mine countermeasures ship, USS Patriot.
Ensign Thomas Nanartowich is a main propulsion officer 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 main propulsion officer is responsible for the operation of the ship's main propulsion engines and all supporting engineering equipment.
Nanartowich is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Williamsburg.
“Growing up there I learned from my parents and people in the community the sense of service. I had a lot of opportunities to serve my community,” said Nanartowich. “That inspired me to join the military, to serve other.”
Nanartowich thus far is proud of what he does for a job. He loves working in in the engineering department. He enjoys his team who always come in ready to work. The teamwork motivates him to do his job better and help lead his department.
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 Patriot is 224 feet long and weighs approximately 1,300 tons. USS Patriot 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.
“I've learned a lot about leadership and time management since joining the Navy,” said Nanartowich. “The Navy is great about teaching those qualities. It will better prepare me for the future.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Nanartowich and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I love my job and what I do. Every day I wake up and I’m excited about going into work. I love being forward deployed, it’s a great experience to have,” said Nanartowich. “This is my first command so I haven’t seen too much but I’ve learned a lot about the job and learned a lot about other people. I also learn a lot about Japan since we’re stationed here. Every day here is a learning experience.”
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 main propulsion officer is responsible for the operation of the ship's main propulsion engines and all supporting engineering equipment.
Nanartowich is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Williamsburg.
“Growing up there I learned from my parents and people in the community the sense of service. I had a lot of opportunities to serve my community,” said Nanartowich. “That inspired me to join the military, to serve other.”
Nanartowich thus far is proud of what he does for a job. He loves working in in the engineering department. He enjoys his team who always come in ready to work. The teamwork motivates him to do his job better and help lead his department.
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 Patriot is 224 feet long and weighs approximately 1,300 tons. USS Patriot 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.
“I've learned a lot about leadership and time management since joining the Navy,” said Nanartowich. “The Navy is great about teaching those qualities. It will better prepare me for the future.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Nanartowich and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I love my job and what I do. Every day I wake up and I’m excited about going into work. I love being forward deployed, it’s a great experience to have,” said Nanartowich. “This is my first command so I haven’t seen too much but I’ve learned a lot about the job and learned a lot about other people. I also learn a lot about Japan since we’re stationed here. Every day here is a learning experience.”
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.