By Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin Whitley, Navy Office of Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va.- An Eastlake High School graduate and San Diego, California, 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.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Parra is a master-at-arms aboard the carrier. As a mater-at-arms, Parra is responsible for maintaining good order and discipline aboard the vessel.
“My favorite part of my job is being a small craft attack team member, the training that comes along with that is some of the better training I’ve received since joining the Navy,” said Parra. “We take part in drills that simulate an actual attack, and being able to perform those actions gives me sort of an adrenaline rush as well as the knowledge on what to do in an actual event.”
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).
“I feel my proudest accomplishment on deployment was achieving my Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist award,” said Parra. “My proudest moment in the Navy so far would have to be becoming a third class petty officer off of my first advancement exam.”
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.
“As a master-at-arms, we support the ship by making sure the crew is safe from all different aspects,” said Parra. “That includes patrolling the ship from top to bottom, responding to medical emergencies, as well as any fire or flooding casualties. We also provide a Small Caliber Action Team to protect the ship from any outsider threats which requires us to get on station with our weapons and ammunition in an expeditious manner, and prepared to defend the ship by any means necessary.”
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 Parra, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Parra is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My great grandfather Harry Sikora served in WWII in the U.S. Army,” said Parra. “He later received the Purple Heart after being wounded in the war. My uncle Jeff Parra served in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Parra, 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 joined the military for a better opportunity in life; I saw it as a chance to do something different,” added Parra. “I decided it was time to better myself and get away from the part time jobs and do something that was more stable. The military runs in my family so I felt it was time to follow in the same footsteps.”