YOKOSUKA, Japan – Ensign Theresa Kilian, a native of Roswell, Georgia, wanted to continue with the proud family tradition of military service.
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| Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward |
“The ship is really fast-paced and really busy because of where we are deployed,” said Kilian. “But on the plus side, I’ve been able to travel all over the pacific.”
“I’ve had some amazing and cool experiences like visiting foreign ports and shooting our weapons,” said Kilian. “One of the best experiences is spending time with the crew. We are a small, tight-knit community.”
Kilian, a 2013 graduate of Roswell High School, is a strike officer aboard the Yokosuka, Japan-based ship, one of several in its class forward-deployed to the region.
“I’m the division officer for the combat missile division,” said Kilian. “We work on the tomahawk and the harpoon weapon systems and the vertical launch system.”
Kilian credits success in the Navy to some of the lessons learned in Roswell.
“My parents were good about telling me that you’ll never know everything so keep an open mind and to be open to learn from everyone, it doesn’t’ matter who they are,” said Kilian.
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.
“Being forward deployed here, I’ve been able to experience a lot the ship cycles,” said Kilian. “I’ve been in the shipyard, the training cycle, the operational cycle, and back to the shipyard so the 7th Fleet has given me an opportunity to learn the life cycle of the ship. I believe this will help prepare me with my career.’
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."
Destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. They are 510 feet long and armed with tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, Standard Missile-3 and newer variants of the SM missile family, advanced gun systems and close-in gun systems. Destroyers are deployed globally and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, or amphibious readiness groups.
Their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is the precondition for everything else the Navy does. It cannot project power, secure the commons, deter aggression, or assure allies without the ability to control the seas when and where desired.
USS Curtis Wilbur has anti-aircraft capability armed with long range missiles intended for air defense to counter the threat to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and tactical ballistic missiles.
Serving in the Navy means Kilian 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. Kilian is most proud of earning her officer of the deck qualification while the ship was underway.
“It was a lot of studying and training to get that qualification,” said Kilian. “It was good to know that the captain put all of his trust in me to be able to drive the ship on my own. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with that but I’m proud that I was able to accomplish something like it.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Kilian and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“I enjoy my job,” said Kilian. “I mainly just like being there for the crew. Everything I do is for them. I feel like we have a reason to be out here, doing what we are doing. That is why I serve in the Navy.”