Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 1999 Lakeside Lutheran High School graduate and Columbus, Wisconsin, native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Assault Craft Unit TWO (ACU 2), one of the Navy’s most advanced amphibious warfare units.
Chief Petty Officer Micah Weihert is an electronics technician with the group operating out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A Navy electronics technician is responsible for radar and communication.
“I like that our job makes us the smartest people in the room,” said Weihert. "We have more common sense and book sense than our peers in the Navy."
Weihert credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in their hometown of Columbus.
“My hometown taught me to do the job you've been assigned,” said Weihert. "When I'm assigned a task in the Navy, I do it well."
ACU 2 is one of the components of Naval Beach Group TWO (NBG 2).
Commissioned in 1948, just after World War II, NBG 2 trains and equips military forces for deployment overseas. Sailors with NBG 2 serve a vital role in the Navy our nation needs by ensuring that amphibious operations remain ready to defend and protect America at all times.
ACU 2 operates landing craft, which are specialized to transport personnel and equipment from surface ships to shore. The LCU is a displacement craft capable of carrying a payload of more than 170 tons. The LCU can be used to transport weapons systems, cargo and personnel of Marine assault units. The current LCU fleet has been in naval service since the late 1960s. Gun mounts on the craft can support .50 Cal machine guns, M240 machine guns, and 40mm grenade launchers.
The exercises and real-world operations that ACU 2 sailors participate in include evacuation of American citizens from a hostile territory, delivery of food and medical supplies after a natural disaster, and many other tasks that involve movement from ships off-shore to the beach, according to Navy officials.
“I like the flexibility serving with this command, the personnel and the gear that we have to have to get a task done with whatever timeline we have," said Weihert.
Jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the command running smoothly, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from operating boats to maintaining engines and handling weaponry.
"The Sailors, Chiefs, and Officers of Assault Craft Unit 2 work in conjunction with other Naval Beach Group elements to grant our Amphibious Ships heavy lift and over-the-horizon, extended-duration ship-to-shore movement with the Landing Craft Utility and Maritime Pre-positioning Force boats,” said Cmdr. Thomas Mays, commanding officer, Assault Craft Unit 2. “We are proud to do our part in the Navy-Marine Corps team to project power or provide sustained assistance as needed around the world."
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Weihert is most proud of pushing more than 800 recruits through boot camp.
“Being a boot camp instructor allowed me to put my thumbprint on the Navy,” said Weihert. "You never know what someone will go on to accomplish after they leave boot camp."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Weihert said he has found many great rewards.
“The Navy has taught me that failure is not a bad thing,” said Weihert. "It is the yardstick in which success is measured and a tool to create better processes."
ACU 2 operates landing craft, which are specialized to transport personnel and equipment from surface ships to shore. The LCU is a displacement craft capable of carrying a payload of more than 170 tons. The LCU can be used to transport weapons systems, cargo and personnel of Marine assault units. The current LCU fleet has been in naval service since the late 1960s. Gun mounts on the craft can support .50 Cal machine guns, M240 machine guns, and 40mm grenade launchers.
The exercises and real-world operations that ACU 2 sailors participate in include evacuation of American citizens from a hostile territory, delivery of food and medical supplies after a natural disaster, and many other tasks that involve movement from ships off-shore to the beach, according to Navy officials.
“I like the flexibility serving with this command, the personnel and the gear that we have to have to get a task done with whatever timeline we have," said Weihert.
Jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the command running smoothly, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from operating boats to maintaining engines and handling weaponry.
"The Sailors, Chiefs, and Officers of Assault Craft Unit 2 work in conjunction with other Naval Beach Group elements to grant our Amphibious Ships heavy lift and over-the-horizon, extended-duration ship-to-shore movement with the Landing Craft Utility and Maritime Pre-positioning Force boats,” said Cmdr. Thomas Mays, commanding officer, Assault Craft Unit 2. “We are proud to do our part in the Navy-Marine Corps team to project power or provide sustained assistance as needed around the world."
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Weihert is most proud of pushing more than 800 recruits through boot camp.
“Being a boot camp instructor allowed me to put my thumbprint on the Navy,” said Weihert. "You never know what someone will go on to accomplish after they leave boot camp."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Weihert said he has found many great rewards.
“The Navy has taught me that failure is not a bad thing,” said Weihert. "It is the yardstick in which success is measured and a tool to create better processes."