By Mr. Dusty Good
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 2004 Mukwonago High School graduate and Mukwonago, Wisconsin, 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 1st Class Cory Crump is a gas turbine systems technician with the group operating out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A Navy gas turbine systems technician is responsible for repair and maintenance of gas turbine engines on ships.
“I love being able to work with my hands,” said Crump. "I'm glad I don't have to be behind a desk all day."
Crump credits his success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in his hometown of Mukwonago.
“When I was younger, I went from a small high school to a large school,” said Crump. "I was sheltered growing up, so that change helped me open up to the diversity of people."
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.
“This command has a lot of freedoms,” said Crump. "You get time to take care of personal stuff, family and college."
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, Crump is most proud of being a recruiter.
“I was able to go back to near my hometown and help people get into the Navy,” said Crump. "Some of those people I still communicate with and mentor and it's very satisfying."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Crump said he has found many great rewards.
“The Navy has helped me accept all people for their different values,” said Crump. "But not only accepting them but appreciating them for their differences."
A Navy gas turbine systems technician is responsible for repair and maintenance of gas turbine engines on ships.
“I love being able to work with my hands,” said Crump. "I'm glad I don't have to be behind a desk all day."
Crump credits his success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in his hometown of Mukwonago.
“When I was younger, I went from a small high school to a large school,” said Crump. "I was sheltered growing up, so that change helped me open up to the diversity of people."
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.
“This command has a lot of freedoms,” said Crump. "You get time to take care of personal stuff, family and college."
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, Crump is most proud of being a recruiter.
“I was able to go back to near my hometown and help people get into the Navy,” said Crump. "Some of those people I still communicate with and mentor and it's very satisfying."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Crump said he has found many great rewards.
“The Navy has helped me accept all people for their different values,” said Crump. "But not only accepting them but appreciating them for their differences."