MAYPORT, Fla. - Lt. Ryan Donlon, a native of Saco, Maine, serves aboard one of the country’s most versatile combat ships, USS St. Louis, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Donlon, a 2013 graduate of York County Community College and a 2018 graduate of Maine Maritime Academy, joined the Navy five years ago.
“I joined because of a family legacy in the Navy,” said Donlon. "Both of my grandfathers, Capt. John Donlon and Capt. Richard Zimmerman, and my dad, Cmdr. Michael Donlon, retired from the Navy."
Today, Donlon relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Saco to succeed in the military.
“I learned to have pride in my roots from my hometown,” said Donlon. "I also learned from my college that doing the right thing is the right to do and to always try my best.”
These lessons have helped Donlon while serving in the Navy.
St. Louis is a fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments, according to Navy officials. Littoral combat ships integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.
Littoral combat ships are hybrid surface combatants that lead manned-unmanned teams using unmanned aerial systems like the Fire Scout and Expeditionary Ordnance Disposal forces unmanned underwater vehicles. They conduct forward and maritime security missions like the Secretary of Defense Oceania Maritime Security Initiative. The ships also strengthen partnerships through port visits in small island nations like Tahiti and Fiji due to their shallow-depth hull.
According to Navy officials, the path to becoming an LCS sailor is unique and challenging. The culmination of their 18-month training pipeline, sailors qualify on a virtual reality simulator that is nearly identical to the ship. This intense and realistic training pipeline allows sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities immediately upon stepping on board.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."
Serving in the Navy means Donlon is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to National Defense because we project power to ensure domestic tranquility for all Americans and promote the ideals of democracy,” said Donlon.
Donlon and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of having served forward deployed in Rota, Spain, onboard USS Carney,” said Donlon. "We participated in international exercises with several allied nations and partners."
As Donlon and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means to me that no matter what is thrown at you, you can get the job done,” said Donlon. "The Navy has given me several skill sets that will follow me for the rest of my life."
Donlon is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I'd like to thank my twin brother, Erin, who is also in the Navy,” added Donlon. "He finished his application before me. I'd also like to shout out York County Community College and Maine Maritime Academy."