Monday, September 11, 2017

San Francisco native serves aboard Navy warship in Japan

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.