USNS Millinocket, At Sea (June 5, 2018) A Liberty Township, Ohio native and Lakota East High School graduate is serving aboard USNS Millinocket (T-EPF-3) as she patrols the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations this month.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jacob Niederman is a musician assigned to the 7th Fleet Band, forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. He plays the trombone in the band, but is also the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) representative and ensures the band meets all training requirements for their frequent traveling within the region.On May 15, Niederman joined more than 40 Sailors and Marines hand-selected to support a theater security cooperation (TSC) patrol on Millinocket as she visits several Indo-Pacific countries on a goodwill mission to enhance relationships and partnerships with key partners and allies.
The TSC mission has so far consisted of port calls, flag level staff talks and bilateral events, as well as receptions in several foreign ports to demonstrate U.S. 7th Fleet’s commitment to strengthening and fostering relationships in the region. There are nine members of the band supporting these aims and have performed multiple times in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines as well as hosting workshops with music students at schools.
“Each port has been enjoyable in it’s own way,” said Niederman, who earned his Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music. “Getting to share our music has been an enjoyable experience. Music is a universal language and we are getting the opportunity to see firsthand the joy music can bring.”
However, he fondly recalls memories of home and is looking forward to going home this upcoming Christmas to reconnect with grandparents, mother and sisters. Since being stationed thousands of miles away in Japan, he rarely gets the chance to visit.
“Every sailor and Marine on board was integral to the success of this patrol, but Petty Officer Niederman stood out for his willingness to step up and learn unfamiliar tasks that were necessary to contribute to the crew’s morale and keep the ship running smoothly.” said Capt. Bernie Wang, the 7th Fleet Theater Security Cooperation director and senior officer on the patrol. “It was definitely noticed, and appreciated.”
Millinocket is one of three expeditionary fast transport ships in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, designed for the fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment. She was chosen for this unique mission due to her mobility, flexibility and ability to pull into ports not usually accessible to a ship of her size. Currently manned by more than 22 civil service mariners, she was augmented during this patrol by U.S. 7th Fleet staff, band members and Marines from Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific (FASTPAC).
Seventh Fleet, which celebrated 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.