By Mr. Dusty Good
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 2008 Pine Ridge High School graduate and Deltona, Florida, native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Assault Craft Unit FOUR (ACU 4), one of the Navy’s most advanced amphibious warfare units.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Raechel Tate is a quartermaster with the group operating out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A Navy quartermaster is responsible for safety and navigation of the landing units.
“I love my job,” said Tate. "I think the best part is always being aware of the mission and having such a large responsibility at a lower rank."
Tate credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in her hometown of Deltona.
“My hometown taught me to treat everyone like a neighbor,” said Tate. "It's a moral base and a respect factor of where I came from."
ACU 4 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 4 operates landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) vehicles, which are specialized to transport personnel and equipment from surface ships to shore. The LCAC is a high-speed, over-the-beach craft capable of carrying a payload of more than 60 tons. The LCAC can be used to transport weapons systems, cargo and personnel of Marine assault units. Air cushion technology allows the vehicle to reach more than 70 percent of the world’s coastline, while only 15 percent of that coastline is accessible by conventional landing craft, according to Navy officials.
The exercises and real-world operations that ACU 4 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 that serving with this command is being a part of something bigger than myself,” said Tate. "This command gives me that opportunity."
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.
"ACU 4 sailors and craft are the connector and where the rubber meets the sand between the Amphibious Ready Group and the fight,” said Capt. Erik Nilsson, ACU 4’s commanding officer. “The maintenance team is dedicated to ensuring the craft are ready at a moment's notice to engage in missions from high-end combat to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Tate is most proud of graduating from navigator’s school.
“Only fifty percent make it through navigators school so being able to say I graduated is a huge accomplishment,” said Tate.
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Tate said she has found many great rewards.
“The Navy has provided me with growth within myself,” said Tate. "The Navy teaches you how to be structured, make a goal, keep a goal and accomplish a goal."
A Navy quartermaster is responsible for safety and navigation of the landing units.
“I love my job,” said Tate. "I think the best part is always being aware of the mission and having such a large responsibility at a lower rank."
Tate credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in her hometown of Deltona.
“My hometown taught me to treat everyone like a neighbor,” said Tate. "It's a moral base and a respect factor of where I came from."
ACU 4 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 4 operates landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) vehicles, which are specialized to transport personnel and equipment from surface ships to shore. The LCAC is a high-speed, over-the-beach craft capable of carrying a payload of more than 60 tons. The LCAC can be used to transport weapons systems, cargo and personnel of Marine assault units. Air cushion technology allows the vehicle to reach more than 70 percent of the world’s coastline, while only 15 percent of that coastline is accessible by conventional landing craft, according to Navy officials.
The exercises and real-world operations that ACU 4 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 that serving with this command is being a part of something bigger than myself,” said Tate. "This command gives me that opportunity."
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.
"ACU 4 sailors and craft are the connector and where the rubber meets the sand between the Amphibious Ready Group and the fight,” said Capt. Erik Nilsson, ACU 4’s commanding officer. “The maintenance team is dedicated to ensuring the craft are ready at a moment's notice to engage in missions from high-end combat to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Tate is most proud of graduating from navigator’s school.
“Only fifty percent make it through navigators school so being able to say I graduated is a huge accomplishment,” said Tate.
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Tate said she has found many great rewards.
“The Navy has provided me with growth within myself,” said Tate. "The Navy teaches you how to be structured, make a goal, keep a goal and accomplish a goal."