Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 2014 Lodi High School graduate and Lodi, New Jersey, 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.
Seaman Brayan Guerra is a culinary specialist with the group operating out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A Navy culinary specialist is responsible for food preparation and storage.
“I like that I am the only cook for my boat,” said Guerra. "It gives me a chance to make what I want."
Guerra credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in his hometown of Lodi.
“Growing up, my hometown taught me to treat others how you want to be treated,” said Guerra.
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 that this command is a small community,” said Guerra. "You get to meet everyone and know everyone in the command."
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, Guerra is most proud of being recently selected for meritorious promotion.
A Navy culinary specialist is responsible for food preparation and storage.
“I like that I am the only cook for my boat,” said Guerra. "It gives me a chance to make what I want."
Guerra credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in his hometown of Lodi.
“Growing up, my hometown taught me to treat others how you want to be treated,” said Guerra.
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 that this command is a small community,” said Guerra. "You get to meet everyone and know everyone in the command."
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, Guerra is most proud of being recently selected for meritorious promotion.
“We were at an all-hands call listening to the results from the advancement exam and afterwards the commanding officer informed me he was going to try to get me promoted and I was selected,” said Guerra.
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Guerra said he has found many great rewards.
“The Navy is all a big family,” said Guerra. "The people that I work with are all like siblings who I trust."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Guerra said he has found many great rewards.
“The Navy is all a big family,” said Guerra. "The people that I work with are all like siblings who I trust."