Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 2008 Madison County High School graduate and Huntsville, Alabama, 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.
A Navy electronics technician is responsible for repairing and maintaining electronic equipment on the craft.
“We’re a very versatile unit that gets to go to many places around the world,” said Wills.
Wills credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in her hometown of Huntsville.
“Stay true to yourself and never forget where you came from,” said Wills. “You hear it a lot, but it’s the truth.”
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.
“It's like a big family here. Everyone knows one another and we look out for each other,” said Wills. “It makes accomplishing the mission that much easier.”
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, Wills is most proud of making second class petty officer in only two years of Navy service.
“If I can do it, anybody can do it. You just have to put in the work,” said Wills.
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Wills said she has found many great rewards.
“It’s really rewarding to serve my country and be part of a dynamic unit like ACU 2,” said Wills.