By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steve Watterworth
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 2010 St. Paul Central High School graduate and St. Paul, Minnesota, 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 3rd Class Christopher English is a gas turbine systems technician (electrical) with the group operating out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A Navy gas turbine systems technician (electrical) is responsible for the electrical components of Navy propulsion systems.
“I like that I'm not on a ship,” said English. “This is less stressful.”
English credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in his hometown of St. Paul.
“My hometown taught me the importance of always doing what I believe is right,” said English.
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.
“One of the best parts of serving here is it’s a shore-based sea duty,” said English. “I still deploy, but don’t have to go on the ship until the actual deployment.”
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, English is most proud of earning a Navy Achievement Medal.
“I earned my medal by being overseas working with other countries navies,” said English.
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, English said he has found many great rewards.
“Serving in the Navy taught me I should always and stand my ground,” said English.
A Navy gas turbine systems technician (electrical) is responsible for the electrical components of Navy propulsion systems.
“I like that I'm not on a ship,” said English. “This is less stressful.”
English credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in his hometown of St. Paul.
“My hometown taught me the importance of always doing what I believe is right,” said English.
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.
“One of the best parts of serving here is it’s a shore-based sea duty,” said English. “I still deploy, but don’t have to go on the ship until the actual deployment.”
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, English is most proud of earning a Navy Achievement Medal.
“I earned my medal by being overseas working with other countries navies,” said English.
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, English said he has found many great rewards.
“Serving in the Navy taught me I should always and stand my ground,” said English.