By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steve Watterworth
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 1995 Peninsula High School graduate and Gig Harbor, Washington, 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.
Chief James Rogers is an electricians mate with the group operating out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A Navy electricians mate is responsible for the electrical distribution on the craft and the maintenance and calibration of gauges.
“My favorite part of my job is taking care of my sailors, and seeing them succeed,” said Rogers. “I just saw four sailors get advanced. A couple of them immediately reenlisted.”
Rogers credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in his hometown of Gig Harbor.
“The most important lesson I learned from my hometown is that home is where the heart is,” said Rogers. “It doesn't matter where I get stationed. That's my home.”
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.
“My favorite part of this command is that they have their priorities right. Number one is mission accomplishment, number two is taking care of sailors, and three is changing for the better,” said Rogers.
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.
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Rogers is most proud of helping his sailors lead better lives.
“Making chief gave me the ability to affect change on my junior sailors careers,” said Rogers. “I have the ability and the authority to take care of my sailors and that means a lot to me.”
A Navy electricians mate is responsible for the electrical distribution on the craft and the maintenance and calibration of gauges.
“My favorite part of my job is taking care of my sailors, and seeing them succeed,” said Rogers. “I just saw four sailors get advanced. A couple of them immediately reenlisted.”
Rogers credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in his hometown of Gig Harbor.
“The most important lesson I learned from my hometown is that home is where the heart is,” said Rogers. “It doesn't matter where I get stationed. That's my home.”
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.
“My favorite part of this command is that they have their priorities right. Number one is mission accomplishment, number two is taking care of sailors, and three is changing for the better,” said Rogers.
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.
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Rogers is most proud of helping his sailors lead better lives.
“Making chief gave me the ability to affect change on my junior sailors careers,” said Rogers. “I have the ability and the authority to take care of my sailors and that means a lot to me.”