Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
THE INTENSE OPERATIONAL TEMPO OF LIFE ON A SUBMARINE REQUIRES MANY OF THEM TO BE MANNED
BY TWO COMPLETE CREWS. PETTY OFFICER DOMINIQUE WATTS TELLS US HOW THE BLUE CREW ASSIGNED
TO THE GUIDED MISSILE SUBMARINE USS GEORGIA RECENTLY TOOK OVER FOR ITS GOLD CREW.
USS GEORGIA ARRIVES IN DIEGO GARCIA MIDWAY THROUGH THE BOAT'S DEPLOYMENT. SAILORS STATIONED
ABOARD THE OHIO-CLASS SUBMARINE ARE CONDUCTING A CREW SWAP. THE EXCHANGE OF ONE CREW FOR
ANOTHER IS A PRACTICE USED BY THE SUBMARINER COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF
THE CREW AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MISSION.
"THESE GREAT SHIPS, THE GUIDED MISSILE SUBMARINES, HAVE GOT AN ENORMOUS CAPACITY FOR STRIKE INTELLIGENCE
SURVEILLANCE RECONNAISSANCE AS WELL AS SPECIAL OPERATIONS CAPABILITIES AND THE COMBATANT
COMMANDER HAS GREAT NEED FOR THAT. SO WE COME OUT AND EXCHANGE CREWS TO KEEP THE SHIP DEPLOYED
IN THEATER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. TYPICAL DEPLOYMENT CYCLE IS BETWEEN FIFTEEN
AND EIGHTEEN MONTHS AWAY FROM HOMEPORT. SO THE TWO CREWS COME OUT AND OVER A SHORT PERIOD
OF TIME WILL EXCHANGE, CONDUCT INVENTORIES, CONDUCT MAINTENANCE TOGETHER AND THEN WE'LL
DO A SHORT UPKEEP. AND THEN WE'LL GO BACK OUT AND CONDUCT OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL
TASKING AND THE COMBATANT COMMANDER."
THIS EVOLUTION MARKS A CELEBRATORY OCCASION FOR SAILORS WHO ARE TURNING OVER THE SHIP
TO THE NEW CREW.
"THEY'VE DETERMINED THAT IT'S A VERY STRESSFUL LIFE OUT TO SEA AND IT DOESN'T ACT WELL ON
THE CREW FOR US TO BE OUT MORE THAN SIXTY DAYS JUST BECAUSE IT PUTS A LOT OF STRESS
ON US. WE GET, YOU KNOW, IN THE MOMENT. RIGHT NOW I'M JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO GET TO THE
LIBERTY CENTER, CALL MY WIFE. YOU KNOW, LET HER KNOW THAT I'M HOME, I'M SAFE AND I'LL
SEE HER IN ABOUT A WEEK."
PETTY OFFICER DOMINIQUE WATTS, DIEGO GARCIA.