By Mr. Dusty Good
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 1998 Palm Beach Lakes High School graduate and West Palm Beach, Florida, 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.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Horace Young is a logistics specialist with the group operating out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A Navy logistics specialist is responsible for financial budget and movement of shipments.
“I love the fact that my job is in a support field and we support everyone,” said Young. "Anyone can come to us and we can take care of their needs."
Young credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in their hometown of West Palm Beach.
“My hometown taught me resilience,” said Young. "Always hang in there and there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Fight through no matter what."
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.
“The best part of this command is the people,” said Young. "It's a different community in the Navy and a very diverse 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.
"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, Young is most proud of making the rank of senior chief petty officer.
“That rank carries a lot of rank and responsibility,” said Young. "Sailors look up to you to teach them and take care of them. We aren't just involved in their work, but we are also there for mentoring in their personal life.”
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Young said they have found many great rewards.
“I learned when I first came in you have to be flexible,” said Young. "Don't get comfortable where you are at, but always be ready for where the Navy needs you next."
A Navy logistics specialist is responsible for financial budget and movement of shipments.
“I love the fact that my job is in a support field and we support everyone,” said Young. "Anyone can come to us and we can take care of their needs."
Young credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in their hometown of West Palm Beach.
“My hometown taught me resilience,” said Young. "Always hang in there and there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Fight through no matter what."
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.
“The best part of this command is the people,” said Young. "It's a different community in the Navy and a very diverse 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.
"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, Young is most proud of making the rank of senior chief petty officer.
“That rank carries a lot of rank and responsibility,” said Young. "Sailors look up to you to teach them and take care of them. We aren't just involved in their work, but we are also there for mentoring in their personal life.”
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Young said they have found many great rewards.
“I learned when I first came in you have to be flexible,” said Young. "Don't get comfortable where you are at, but always be ready for where the Navy needs you next."