SASEBO, Japan – Ensign Logan Krause, a native of Pensacola, Florida, said he has always liked the idea of putting others before himself. So he joined the U.S. Navy to serve his country and fellow citizens.
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| Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward |
“I serve as an officer of the deck division,” Krause said. “We launch and control the launching craft from the well deck, which is the lifeblood of an amphibious ship. Most recently, it was fun to conduct real-world operations with the Thai Navy. It was really cool to see how connected we are with other nations and how our cooperation might help us in the long run.”
Krause, a 2013 graduate of Pensacola High School, is a surface warfare officer candidate aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay in Sasebo, Japan.
“I spend my time ensuring sailors get the appreciation and awards they deserve, ensuring all the maintenance is completed, and if sailors have any off-duty troubles, I help make sure they're getting the support they need,” said Krause.
Krause credits some of his success in the Navy to lessons learned in Pensacola.
“One of the biggest things I learned growing up is, in becoming a leader, one has to be a great follower first,” he said. “You have to work through the small stuff to get to the bigger stuff.”
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.
“One of the neatest things about serving in 7th Fleet is this is one of the most contested areas on Earth, as far as territorial claims go, so it's interesting to see the stances of the various nations and you get to see how we operate relative to our beliefs,” Krause said. “We got to work in the East China Sea and prevent ship-to-ship transfers among North Korean vessels. We changed how they operated because of us being there and showing our presence.”
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 Sasebo 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."
These ships support missions from sea to shore, special operations and other warfare missions. They also serve as secondary aviation platforms. Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice, according to Navy officials.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard Green Bay. More than 400 men and women make up the ship's crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from handling weaponry to maintaining the engines. An additional 700 Marines can be embarked. Green Bay is capable of transporting Marines and landing them where they are needed using helicopters, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and other water-to-shore craft.
Serving in the Navy means Krause 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. Krause is most proud that he can help bring bigger picture insight to the sailors working on the deckplates.
“I enjoy helping them understand that the little things they are doing has a bigger impact,” he said. “When you explain and get them involved, it’s satisfying. They may not realize why they're doing it, and giving them that ‘why’ makes them excited to be there, and that excites me.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Krause and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“It's definitely not something to be taken lightly,” he said. “It can get rigorous. In the end, it's one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. There's no other job where you'll have the leadership opportunities you have here. Immediately into the job, I'm responsible for forty-something sailors, not just that they're doing their job, but that they're taken care of, both inside and outside of work.”