NORFOLK, Va.- A 2019 Douglas MacArthur High School graduate and San Antonio native returned home June 16, marking the end of a seven-month deployment aboard USS Harry S. Truman. Since departing its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia in November 2019, the aircraft carrier sailed in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Fireman Jaidon Hernandez is a damage controlman aboard the carrier. As a damage controlman, Hernandez is responsible for preserving and maintaining the ship’s watertight integrity and shipboard firefighting systems to prevent damage from spreading throughout the ship.
“My favorite part of my job is being a part of the fire party and dressing in the firefighting ensemble and reacting to any situation thrown our way,” said Hernandez.
Following a scheduled return from deployment in March, after operating in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations, Truman remained underway in the Western Atlantic as a certified and ready carrier force ready for tasking. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, the Truman continued to conduct operations underway, minimizing the potential spread of the virus aboard the ships, in order to maintain maritime stability and security and ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
Truman sailed more than 56,000 nautical miles, deploying dynamically to support dual-carrier operations, air defense exercises, anti-submarine warfare exercises, and interoperability with joint services and with allies and partners. The ship also completed multiple strait and choke point transits, to include the Strait of Gibraltar, the Suez Canal and the Bab-el Mandeb Strait, while operating under three Combatant Commanders – U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), U.S. European Command (EUCOM), and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
“Making it this far to get to be a part of something greater than me and be one of the ship’s first responders to any onboard situation makes me proud,” Hernandez said. “I absolutely love this job and wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”
Truman demonstrated the Navy's continuing regional commitment to EUCOM and CENTCOM areas of responsibility by hosting 80 embarked guests, including political and military leaders from eight ally and partner nations. These embarks directly supported U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet theater security objectives and greatly enhanced U.S. relationships and partnerships with multiple NATO ally and partner nations and Gulf Cooperation Council members.
“I’m so very proud of all our sailors!” said Capt. Kavon Hakimzadeh, commanding officer of Truman, “Their resilience, perseverance, and utter dedication to mission has been nothing short of exemplary. It has been my greatest honor to serve as Truman’s commanding officer this deployment!”
According to Navy officials, maintaining maritime superiority is a vital part of a Navy that is present today and prepared for tomorrow. The impact affects Americans and their interests around the world, as more than 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water and 90 percent of all trade travels by sea.
The foundation of the Navy the nation needs includes a focus on warfighting, warfighters and the future of the fighting force.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard Truman. More than 6,000 men and women serve aboard the ship during deployment keeping all parts of the ship running smoothly. Each crewmember performs a number of tasks outside of their traditional job or rating.
“I am a part of the At-Sea Fire Party underway or the in-port emergency team while in port,” said Hernandez. “We will react to any and all casualties called away via the 1MC intercom system and contain it as instructed.”
Throughout the deployment, Truman performed numerous training exercises to develop tactical competencies. From carrier strike force operations as the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, to exercises with partner navies and forces, the ship developed key skillsets to maintain readiness and interoperability. While conducting stability operations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, the strike group was called upon during an international crisis to assert American commitment to the region and act as a primary de-escalatory catalyst.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Hernandez, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Hernandez is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“I have had an uncle who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, another uncle who served with the Marines during the Gulf War and a cousin serving in the Marines,” said Hernandez. “All have, since I joined, supported my decision to be a part of the world’s greatest Navy.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Hernandez, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“I wanted to serve my country’s armed uniformed services since I was very young,” Hernandez added. “I always saw the commercials and the movies and eventually read the stories of service members who did great deeds and left behind a legacy of serving their country and preserving the Constitution and the rights of the American people. I wanted to be associated with that group of extraordinary individuals so I contacted a recruiter and signed myself up for the U.S. Navy.”
“My favorite part of my job is being a part of the fire party and dressing in the firefighting ensemble and reacting to any situation thrown our way,” said Hernandez.
Following a scheduled return from deployment in March, after operating in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations, Truman remained underway in the Western Atlantic as a certified and ready carrier force ready for tasking. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, the Truman continued to conduct operations underway, minimizing the potential spread of the virus aboard the ships, in order to maintain maritime stability and security and ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
Truman sailed more than 56,000 nautical miles, deploying dynamically to support dual-carrier operations, air defense exercises, anti-submarine warfare exercises, and interoperability with joint services and with allies and partners. The ship also completed multiple strait and choke point transits, to include the Strait of Gibraltar, the Suez Canal and the Bab-el Mandeb Strait, while operating under three Combatant Commanders – U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), U.S. European Command (EUCOM), and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
“Making it this far to get to be a part of something greater than me and be one of the ship’s first responders to any onboard situation makes me proud,” Hernandez said. “I absolutely love this job and wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”
Truman demonstrated the Navy's continuing regional commitment to EUCOM and CENTCOM areas of responsibility by hosting 80 embarked guests, including political and military leaders from eight ally and partner nations. These embarks directly supported U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet theater security objectives and greatly enhanced U.S. relationships and partnerships with multiple NATO ally and partner nations and Gulf Cooperation Council members.
“I’m so very proud of all our sailors!” said Capt. Kavon Hakimzadeh, commanding officer of Truman, “Their resilience, perseverance, and utter dedication to mission has been nothing short of exemplary. It has been my greatest honor to serve as Truman’s commanding officer this deployment!”
According to Navy officials, maintaining maritime superiority is a vital part of a Navy that is present today and prepared for tomorrow. The impact affects Americans and their interests around the world, as more than 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water and 90 percent of all trade travels by sea.
The foundation of the Navy the nation needs includes a focus on warfighting, warfighters and the future of the fighting force.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard Truman. More than 6,000 men and women serve aboard the ship during deployment keeping all parts of the ship running smoothly. Each crewmember performs a number of tasks outside of their traditional job or rating.
“I am a part of the At-Sea Fire Party underway or the in-port emergency team while in port,” said Hernandez. “We will react to any and all casualties called away via the 1MC intercom system and contain it as instructed.”
Throughout the deployment, Truman performed numerous training exercises to develop tactical competencies. From carrier strike force operations as the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, to exercises with partner navies and forces, the ship developed key skillsets to maintain readiness and interoperability. While conducting stability operations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, the strike group was called upon during an international crisis to assert American commitment to the region and act as a primary de-escalatory catalyst.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Hernandez, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Hernandez is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“I have had an uncle who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, another uncle who served with the Marines during the Gulf War and a cousin serving in the Marines,” said Hernandez. “All have, since I joined, supported my decision to be a part of the world’s greatest Navy.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Hernandez, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“I wanted to serve my country’s armed uniformed services since I was very young,” Hernandez added. “I always saw the commercials and the movies and eventually read the stories of service members who did great deeds and left behind a legacy of serving their country and preserving the Constitution and the rights of the American people. I wanted to be associated with that group of extraordinary individuals so I contacted a recruiter and signed myself up for the U.S. Navy.”