By Mr. Dusty Good
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 2014 Kofa High School graduate and Yuma, Arizona, 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.
Fireman Apprentice Rebecca Ramirez is a gas turbine systems technician with the group operating out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A Navy gas turbine systems technician is responsible for maintaining the ship’s propulsion system through checks and repairs.
"I like that my job allows me to work with my hands,” said Ramirez. "Every day is a new task."
Ramirez credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in her hometown of Yuma.
“My hometown taught me that if you want something, you have to go work hard for it,” said Ramirez. "Nothing is given in this life."
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 is very family-oriented,” said Ramirez. "We work hard and long hours but the command is always doing events that make your family a part of 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.
"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, Ramirez is most proud of graduating from ‘A’ school.
“I'm proud of graduating because I went through it and worked and put long hours into it,” said Ramirez. "At the end I graduated and got the job I'm working at now."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Ramirez said she has found many great rewards.
“The most important thing I've learned in the Navy is that we all help each other,” said Ramirez. "We all need each other to do our part."
A Navy gas turbine systems technician is responsible for maintaining the ship’s propulsion system through checks and repairs.
"I like that my job allows me to work with my hands,” said Ramirez. "Every day is a new task."
Ramirez credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in her hometown of Yuma.
“My hometown taught me that if you want something, you have to go work hard for it,” said Ramirez. "Nothing is given in this life."
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 is very family-oriented,” said Ramirez. "We work hard and long hours but the command is always doing events that make your family a part of 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.
"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, Ramirez is most proud of graduating from ‘A’ school.
“I'm proud of graduating because I went through it and worked and put long hours into it,” said Ramirez. "At the end I graduated and got the job I'm working at now."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Ramirez said she has found many great rewards.
“The most important thing I've learned in the Navy is that we all help each other,” said Ramirez. "We all need each other to do our part."