By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va.- A 2017 Mounds View High School graduate and Shoreview, Minnesota, 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 Kayla Maresh is a machinist’s mate aboard the carrier. Maresh is responsible for operating the main engines of the ship, the ship service turbine generators that make power for the ship, and the distilling units that make water for the ship while underway.
“My favorite part of my job is the people I work with,” Maresh said. “We all bring something special to the division and it's fun to learn about everyone’s life before the Navy. Also, when the tough times get going we all pull together to get the job done. Then when we are all in the propulsion plants working it’s always a fun time. You’ll always be able to find someone joking around to make the work more enjoyable or help time go by faster.”
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).
“Over the course of deployment I was able to finish the majority of my watch station qualifications and a few different shipboard qualifications,” Maresh said.
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.
“Without reactor propulsion the ship would not have any water, power or propulsion,” Maresh said. “We are a key role to the ship and making sure we can go out and complete the mission at hand. We very often go unheard of where people don’t really understand what our job is and why we are a vital role to the ship.”
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 Maresh, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Maresh is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandpa was in the Marines and is a Vietnam era vet, my uncle is prior Navy and Army,” Maresh said. “Then my brother was in the Army as well.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Maresh, 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.
“By joining the Navy, I knew that I was going to be a part of something huge that not everyone does and that I would be the first female in the family to join and that was a huge push for me to join as well,” Maresh added.