Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson G. Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Seaman Apprentice Nathan Gould, a Victoria, Texas, native, joined the Navy because he wanted to make a name for himself and make his family proud.
Now, one year later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Gould serves aboard an avenger-class mine countermeasures ship (MCM), USS Dextrous, tasked to search and dispose of enemy mines in the world’s most dynamic maritime region as the leading-edge of the Navy.
“It is challenging to keep up with the workload but it is rewarding,” said Gould “Our crew is so small, we are a jack of all trades and learn to cover other shipboard jobs.”
Gould, a 2009 graduate of Providence Christian Academy, is a mineman aboard the Manama, Bahrain-based ship, one of four MCMs forward-deployed to the Arabian Gulf in the Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet operating under Task Force 52.
“Our mission is to hunt and sweep for mines in the Arabian Gulf,” said Gould.
Task Force 52 plans and executes mine warfare operations in support of U.S. 5th Fleet’s operational objectives.
Gould credits success in the MCM force, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Victoria.
“I learned that patience is a virtue and not to take anything for granted,” said Gould.
USS Dextrous is 224 feet long, 39 feet wide and weighs over 1,300 tons. Four diesel engines, designed to have very low magnetic and acoustic signatures, help push the ship through the water at 16 miles per hour.
As mines threaten maritime traffic indiscriminately, the U.S. and partner nations are committed to taking all action necessary to reduce the risk of mines to support the continuous free flow of commerce and freedom of navigation throughout the region. MCMs are outfitted with the means to detect and disable them, ensuring sea lanes remain open for military, commercial and civilian vessels. These ships use a variety of novel and conventional sweeping measures, including sonar and video systems, cable cutters and remote control mine-detonating devices.
“We protect ships from being damaged by mines and keep the waterways safe for ship traffic,” said Gould.
The Navy’s mine countermeasures in the U.S. 5th Fleet are divided between three separate legs, consisting of airborne, surface and underwater methods. These consist of the MCMs such as USS Dextrous, MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15, and unmanned underwater vehicles, as well as expeditionary explosive ordnance disposal teams. All three legs work together to hunt and neutralize mines.
The Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of ocean, and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 20 countries, includes three critical choke points; the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
“I’m incredibly proud to serve with each of our Sailors, Coastguardsmen and Marines forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations,” said Rear Admiral Paul Schlise, deputy commander for NAVCENT/ U.S. 5th Fleet. “They represent the very best of our country and serve as volunteers in a complex and dynamic region that’s vital to our security. I am honored to work alongside these warriors.”
“I have seen new places and met a lot of hard working, fun people,” said Gould. “The culture is great in the middle east.”
Serving in the Navy means Gould is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Gould is most proud of the support he receives from friends and family back home.
“It was my main reason to join and it gives me hope that when I go back home everything will be better,” said Gould.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Gould and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs
“The brotherhood is like no other,” said Gould. “No matter where you go, you will always be looked up to and you have a lot of support from veterans and community members alike.”
Now, one year later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Gould serves aboard an avenger-class mine countermeasures ship (MCM), USS Dextrous, tasked to search and dispose of enemy mines in the world’s most dynamic maritime region as the leading-edge of the Navy.
“It is challenging to keep up with the workload but it is rewarding,” said Gould “Our crew is so small, we are a jack of all trades and learn to cover other shipboard jobs.”
Gould, a 2009 graduate of Providence Christian Academy, is a mineman aboard the Manama, Bahrain-based ship, one of four MCMs forward-deployed to the Arabian Gulf in the Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet operating under Task Force 52.
“Our mission is to hunt and sweep for mines in the Arabian Gulf,” said Gould.
Task Force 52 plans and executes mine warfare operations in support of U.S. 5th Fleet’s operational objectives.
Gould credits success in the MCM force, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Victoria.
“I learned that patience is a virtue and not to take anything for granted,” said Gould.
USS Dextrous is 224 feet long, 39 feet wide and weighs over 1,300 tons. Four diesel engines, designed to have very low magnetic and acoustic signatures, help push the ship through the water at 16 miles per hour.
As mines threaten maritime traffic indiscriminately, the U.S. and partner nations are committed to taking all action necessary to reduce the risk of mines to support the continuous free flow of commerce and freedom of navigation throughout the region. MCMs are outfitted with the means to detect and disable them, ensuring sea lanes remain open for military, commercial and civilian vessels. These ships use a variety of novel and conventional sweeping measures, including sonar and video systems, cable cutters and remote control mine-detonating devices.
“We protect ships from being damaged by mines and keep the waterways safe for ship traffic,” said Gould.
The Navy’s mine countermeasures in the U.S. 5th Fleet are divided between three separate legs, consisting of airborne, surface and underwater methods. These consist of the MCMs such as USS Dextrous, MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15, and unmanned underwater vehicles, as well as expeditionary explosive ordnance disposal teams. All three legs work together to hunt and neutralize mines.
The Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of ocean, and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 20 countries, includes three critical choke points; the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
“I’m incredibly proud to serve with each of our Sailors, Coastguardsmen and Marines forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations,” said Rear Admiral Paul Schlise, deputy commander for NAVCENT/ U.S. 5th Fleet. “They represent the very best of our country and serve as volunteers in a complex and dynamic region that’s vital to our security. I am honored to work alongside these warriors.”
“I have seen new places and met a lot of hard working, fun people,” said Gould. “The culture is great in the middle east.”
Serving in the Navy means Gould is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Gould is most proud of the support he receives from friends and family back home.
“It was my main reason to join and it gives me hope that when I go back home everything will be better,” said Gould.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Gould and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs
“The brotherhood is like no other,” said Gould. “No matter where you go, you will always be looked up to and you have a lot of support from veterans and community members alike.”