YOKOSUKA, Japan – Seaman Kevin Henriquez, a native of New Haven, Connecticut, wanted to take on a new challenge and better his life so he joined the Navy.
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| Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward |
“It gets stressful sometimes here but it’s manageable,” aid Henriquez. “You have to learn how to spend your time and meet new people to make it fun.”
Henriquez, a 2018 graduate of Hamden High School, works in the deck department aboard the Yokosuka, Japan-based ship, one of three cruisers forward-deployed to the region.
“My main jobs are helping preserve the ship and making sure supplies are stocked and the ship is ready for anything,” said Henriquez. “I help maintain the ship and make sure it is nice and presentable.”
Henriquez credits success in the Navy to lessons learned in New Haven.
“My father was the biggest inspiration for me,” said Henriquez. “When I was younger he was tough on me, he taught me integrity, manners and everything a father should teach his son. And since being in the Navy, I appreciate what he did for me.”
U.S. 7th Fleet spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. U.S. 7th Fleet's area of operations encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 sailors.
“The schedule is very busy,” said Henriquez. “I feel like we get pressured a lot more but in the end, we get better training than we would working anywhere else.”
With more than 50 percent of the world's shipping tonnage and a third of the world's crude oil passing through the region, the United States has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world. The Navy's presence in Yokosuka is part of that long-standing commitment.
"The Navy is forward-deployed to provide security and strengthen relationships in a free and open Indo-Pacific. It's not just the ships and aircraft that have shown up to prevent conflict and promote peace," said Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. "It is, and will continue to be our people who define the role our Navy plays around the world. People who've made a choice, and have the will and strength of character to make a difference."
A Navy cruiser is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with a vertical launching system, tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns, and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
Approximately 300 men and women serve aboard the ship. Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the cruiser running smoothly, according to Navy officials. They do everything from maintaining gas turbine engines and operating the highly sophisticated Aegis weapons system to driving the ship and operating small boats.
Serving in the Navy means Henriquez 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.”
There are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career. Henriquez is most proud of keeping a positive attitude while progressing through his naval career.
“Making it this far in the Navy and still being happy and staying positive is what I’m most proud of,” said Henriquez. “There’s still a lot more to come and I’m excited to see and learn more.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Henriquez and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“It means a lot serving in the Navy, it’s a step not a lot of people risk taking,” said Henriquez. “To me it’s not so much about serving but more about the big picture of what America is all about, that every little thing you do has an impact on many people’s lives all over the world.”
“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.”
There are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career. Henriquez is most proud of keeping a positive attitude while progressing through his naval career.
“Making it this far in the Navy and still being happy and staying positive is what I’m most proud of,” said Henriquez. “There’s still a lot more to come and I’m excited to see and learn more.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Henriquez and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“It means a lot serving in the Navy, it’s a step not a lot of people risk taking,” said Henriquez. “To me it’s not so much about serving but more about the big picture of what America is all about, that every little thing you do has an impact on many people’s lives all over the world.”