Guagua native supports US Navy’s ‘silent service’ half a world away
SANTA RITA, Guam - A 2002 Olympic High School graduate and Guagua Pampanga, Philippines, native is aiding the U.S. Navy’s silent service submarine community as part of an integrated crew of Sailors and Civilian Mariners working aboard the expeditionary submarine tender, USS Emory S. Land.
Petty Officer 1st Class Aldwin David is an engineman serving aboard the Guam-based submarine tender, one of two submarine tenders in the U.S. Navy, conducting coordinated tended moorings and afloat maintenance in the Pacific Ocean as well as the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
A Navy engineman does repairs on generators and motors for the ship.
“I get to train young Sailors and be the subject matter expert on what they do,” David said. “It’s a very rewarding job.”
With a crew of 76 officers and 1,270 enlisted, submarine tenders are 649 feet long and weigh approximately 23,493 tons. Their mission is to provide maintenance, repairs, lodging accommodations and logistics support to deployed guided-missile
and fast-attack submarines. Submarine tenders are additionally capable of providing repair and logistic services to deployed surface ships.
“I am impressed every day by the caliber of the Sailors who serve aboard our ship,” said Capt. Douglas Bradley, commanding officer, USS Emory S. Land. “Our hardworking crew completes an immense amount of work daily aboard this ship. The multitude of different skills and responsibilities is remarkable: submarine and surface ship repair, weapons handling, supply, medical, dental, and more. I am extremely honored to lead and serve this immensely talented and dedicated crew.”
David said that serving aboard the ship provides Sailors with the opportunity to serve a critical mi ssi on.
“Serving aboard the USS Emory S. Land, we are surface ship, but our main mission is to get the submarines underway,” he explained. “Even at the lowest rank, the service our Sailors provide is important to the overall Navy mission.”
The integrated crew of Sailors and civilian mariners build a strong fellowship while working alongside each other, David explained. The crews are highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches and drills.
David said the fast pace allows him many opportunities to grow.
“I joined the Navy to travel and better myself,” he said. “I wanted to do something different and make an impact on the world. I wanted to give back.” David said he is carrying on a family tradition with his service.
“Our family has a long history of serving the Navy and as each have served, they have petitioned the next generation to follow in their footsteps,” said David.— Contributed by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda Rae Moreno/ Navy Office of Community Outreach