Noble native serving on Navy coastal patrol ship
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN — A 2014 Noble High School graduate is part of a Navy team supporting the cyclone-class coastal patrol ships patrolling one the world’s most volatile maritime regions.
Seaman Cameron Burkett is an information systems technician supporting the Manama, Bahrain-based squadron of four coastal patrol ships forward-deployed to the Arabian Gulf in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.
The Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprising 20 countries, includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
Coastal patrol ships are 179 feet long, 25 feet wide and weigh nearly 320 tons. Four diesel engines help push the ship through the water at 40 miles per hour.
Burkett is receiving firsthand experience working in a foreign country and obtaining unique qualifications not possible with larger commands. Flexibility is paramount.
“We set up networks and systems to make the information get to its destination without any unnecessary delays,” Burkett said.
“Working with computers I’ve learned things I never knew. It makes me proud that I serve an important role in the command.”
The coastal patrol ships are perfectly suited for the complex waters of the Arabian Gulf, where over 80 percent of maritime security operations take place in less than 39 feet of water. Its light tonnage, powerful propulsion plants and shallow draft mean it can move nimbly in crowded coastal waters.
This platform is also used to escort larger ships such as aircraft carriers, protect infrastructure like oil platforms and distilling platforms and frequently participates in exercises with regional allies.
Burkett realizes the significance of serving his country abroad and said he is proud of the work he is doing as part of the coastal patrol squadron, helping protect America on the world’s oceans.
“This is my first command and I like the chain of command here,” Burkett said.
“It’s a very respectful group and we work hard to get the mission accomplished. Before I joined I wasn’t doing anything special, now I am part of something bigger than myself. I make more of a difference now.”