NORFOLK, Va. - Cmdr. Doug Ivanac, a native of Herminie, Pennsylvania, serves aboard USS Gerald R. Ford, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.
Ivanac graduated from Yough High School in 1998 and earned a degree from Ohio State in 2002.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Herminie.
“I grew up in Scouts and sports, so I learned the importance of service above self,” said Ivanac. “Earning Eagle Scout was one of the bonuses when applying for a Naval ROTC scholarship. That scholarship made college possible for me, which led to this rewarding career.”
Ivanac joined the Navy 22 years ago. Today, Ivanac serves as a navigator.
“I joined the Navy looking for something bigger than myself,” said Ivanac.
The crew recently completed an eight-month deployment, which was the first deployment for the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier.
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was extended 76 days following the outbreak of conflict in Israel and operated in the Mediterranean Sea to deter further escalation and support Israel in its right to self-defense.
While in the Mediterranean, the carrier strike group participated in and supported numerous multinational exercises and vigilance activities to increase NATO capability and deter aggression in the region. The carrier visited ports in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Norway and Turkey. Other ships in the strike group visited Belgium, Cyprus, Montenegro, Spain, and Sweden.
“The Gerald R. Ford is everything our nation hoped it would be, and more. I am so proud of the crew, who breathed life into the world’s most technologically advanced warship and stood the watch in defense of our national interests,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, Gerald R. Ford’s commanding officer. “Though extended, we were the right ship at the right time to answer the call, and our sailors performed admirably. Ford sailors honored our namesake’s legacies of hard work, integrity, and courage.”
In 239 days underway, the ship’s crew conducted 43 underway replenishments, logged more than 17,826 flight hours and 10,396 sorties, sailed more than 83,476 nautical miles, and safely transferred 20.7 million gallons of fuel with zero mishaps. The Ford crew conducted 33,444 flight deck moves, 3,124 hangar bay aircraft moves, 2,883 aircraft elevator moves, 16,351 aircraft fueling evolutions, and transferred 8,850 pallets of cargo and mail. The Gerald R. Ford culinary team prepared and served 3.1 million meals, which included approximately 48,000 dozen eggs, 24,000 gallons of milk, 131,000 hamburgers, 367,000 pounds of chicken, and Gerald R. Ford’s favorite, 79,000 chocolate chip cookies.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Ivanac serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Ivanac has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Being selected to serve as a commanding officer is something I’m proud of,” said Ivanac. “It wasn’t based on just my own efforts but was built on the sacrifice of my family and the support of mentors during my time in the Navy.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adriones Johnson |
Ivanac graduated from Yough High School in 1998 and earned a degree from Ohio State in 2002.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Herminie.
“I grew up in Scouts and sports, so I learned the importance of service above self,” said Ivanac. “Earning Eagle Scout was one of the bonuses when applying for a Naval ROTC scholarship. That scholarship made college possible for me, which led to this rewarding career.”
Ivanac joined the Navy 22 years ago. Today, Ivanac serves as a navigator.
“I joined the Navy looking for something bigger than myself,” said Ivanac.
The crew recently completed an eight-month deployment, which was the first deployment for the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier.
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was extended 76 days following the outbreak of conflict in Israel and operated in the Mediterranean Sea to deter further escalation and support Israel in its right to self-defense.
While in the Mediterranean, the carrier strike group participated in and supported numerous multinational exercises and vigilance activities to increase NATO capability and deter aggression in the region. The carrier visited ports in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Norway and Turkey. Other ships in the strike group visited Belgium, Cyprus, Montenegro, Spain, and Sweden.
“The Gerald R. Ford is everything our nation hoped it would be, and more. I am so proud of the crew, who breathed life into the world’s most technologically advanced warship and stood the watch in defense of our national interests,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, Gerald R. Ford’s commanding officer. “Though extended, we were the right ship at the right time to answer the call, and our sailors performed admirably. Ford sailors honored our namesake’s legacies of hard work, integrity, and courage.”
In 239 days underway, the ship’s crew conducted 43 underway replenishments, logged more than 17,826 flight hours and 10,396 sorties, sailed more than 83,476 nautical miles, and safely transferred 20.7 million gallons of fuel with zero mishaps. The Ford crew conducted 33,444 flight deck moves, 3,124 hangar bay aircraft moves, 2,883 aircraft elevator moves, 16,351 aircraft fueling evolutions, and transferred 8,850 pallets of cargo and mail. The Gerald R. Ford culinary team prepared and served 3.1 million meals, which included approximately 48,000 dozen eggs, 24,000 gallons of milk, 131,000 hamburgers, 367,000 pounds of chicken, and Gerald R. Ford’s favorite, 79,000 chocolate chip cookies.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Ivanac serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Ivanac has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Being selected to serve as a commanding officer is something I’m proud of,” said Ivanac. “It wasn’t based on just my own efforts but was built on the sacrifice of my family and the support of mentors during my time in the Navy.”
Ivanac can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy allows me the opportunity to give back,” said Ivanac. “There’s a limited number of individuals who have the selflessness required for this type of service. It requires a lot of cooperation and teamwork. Being part of this team is an honor.”
Ivanac is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my friends, family, coaches, teachers and other mentors back home who helped me grow into the person I am today,” added Ivanac. “I want to thank my wife, Sara, for being the reason that we’ve accomplished everything we have. She’s been with me during my entire career. I wouldn’t be here without her.”