By
Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert
Zahn, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo
By Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan – A San Francisco native and 2010 St. Ignatius College Preperatory
graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile
destroyer, USS Curtis Wilbur.
Lt. j.g. Calvin Joewono is a fire control officer
aboard the forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer
operating out of Yokosuka, Japan. Curtis Wilbur
is one of eight destroyers forward-deployed in Yokosuka.
A Navy fire control officer
is in charge of the operations of the fire control division aboard the
ship. The fire control division operates and performs maintenance on digital
computer equipment, weapon direction systems, surface-to-air and
surface-to-surface control missile systems, and gun fire control systems
“One of the mottos of my
high school was 'person for others' and I have always lived by this
motto,” said Joewono. “I believe that it makes me a better leader in the Navy
today.”
With more than 50 percent of
the world's shipping tonnage and a third of the world's crude oil passing
through the region, the U.S. has historic and enduring interests in this part
of the world.
"Our alliance is rooted in
shared interests and shared values," said Adm. Harry Harris, Commander, U.S. Pacific
Command. "It's not hyperbole to say that the entire world has
benefited from the U.S.-Japan alliance. While our alliance helped stabilize the
region after the Second World War, it also enabled the Japanese people to bring
about an era of unprecedented economic growth. And for the last six decades,
our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have worked side by
side with the Japan Self Defense Force to protect and advance peace and
freedom."
Approximately 300 men and
women serve aboard the ship. Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each
part of the ship running smoothly, according to Navy officials. They do
everything from maintaining gas turbine engines and operating the highly
sophisticated Aegis weapons system to driving the ship and operating small
boats.
Forward-deployed sailors
are crucial to the success of the global Navy mission and earn high praise from
their leaders.
“I recently took part in a joint exercise in the area
with our Japanese and Korean counterparts,” said Joewono. “This was a great
experience for me because I grew up in this part of the world so I felt very
welcomed. My greatest accomplishments are when I get to take part
in awarding and reenlisting my sailors."
Sailors serving abroad in
Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions, explained
Navy officials.
“I feel a sense of pride knowing that I am the first generation American in my family to serve for
this country,” added Joewono.
With the ability to
conduct anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare,
destroyers are capable of sustained maritime operations supporting forward
naval presence, maritime security, sea control, deterrence of aggressive
actions on U.S. partners around the globe, as well as humanitarian
assistance. Fast, maneuverable, and technically advanced,
destroyers provide credible combat power, at and from the sea.