Cabot native participates in multinational maritime exercise

CABOT — A 2012 Cabot High School graduate and Cabot native participated in Sea Breeze 2019, a multinational maritime exercise in the Black Sea on July 1-12.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Logan Keown, a U.S. Navy mass communication specialist assigned to Navy Public Affairs Support Element East Detachment- Europe, took part in the exercise, which focused on multiple warfare areas, including maritime interdiction operations, air defense, antisubmarine warfare, damage control, search and rescue, and amphibious operations.

“We rely heavily on our men and women in uniform to remain ready and vigilant in an increasingly complex environment while they work closely with our NATO allies and partners to ensure regional stability,” said Vice Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. “Each and every sailor and Marine who is here in Ukraine participating in exercise Sea Breeze 2019 is absolutely essential to the success of this exercise, and we could not be more proud of their hard work and commitment.”

As a U.S. Navy mass communication specialist, Keown is responsible for telling the Navy’s story through photos, videos, graphics and other imagery.

Keown has carried lessons learned from his hometown into his military service.

“My hometown taught me to keep being myself in the face of adversity, to swim against the current if the goal is upstream,” Keown said. “I take that with me in my naval career by getting that feature, the photo, the interview or whatever is required of me to tell the Navy’s story.”

This was the 19th iteration of Sea Breeze in which naval forces from 19 nations contributed in the annual exercise co-hosted by the Ukrainian and U.S. navies, aiming to improve interoperability while promoting regional security and peace.

Nations scheduled to participate in Sea Breeze include Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“This year, we will focus on strengthening our partnerships and building upon the friendships that have been established for years,” said Capt. Matthew Lehmann, commodore of U.S. Destroyer Squadron 60.

“I am looking forward to promoting friendship,” Keown said. “Showing the world the bond that exists between NATO countries, like Ukraine and Turkey, is imperative to telling an accurate global story. Serving in the Navy means I get to see the most incredible places and meet incredible people while serving my country so my family, friends and fellow Americans can stay safe at home. I couldn’t ask for a more rewarding job.”