OKC sailor serves aboard USS Alabama
SILVERDALE, WASH. — A 2012 Northwest Classen High School graduate and Oklahoma City native is engaged in a critical mission for the security of the United States: Deterring nuclear war.
Seaman Skylar Wall, a culinary specialist, is serving aboard an advanced ballistic missile submarine, the USS Alabama. Based at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington, not far from Seattle, USS Alabama is one of 14 Ohioclass ballistic missile submarines in the Navy’s fleet.
As a culinary specialist, Wall is responsible for preparing meals for the crew. “I love to cook. It's a unique job with many opportunities,” Wall said. “I enjoy being a part of a team, being diverse and enhancing skill sets.” Wall draws from lessons learned growing up in Oklahoma City. “I learned the importance of being humble and to enjoy the little things,” Wall said. The Navy’s ballistic missile submarines, often referred to informally as “boomers,” serve as undetectable launch platforms for intercontinental ballistic missiles.
They are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles, and they are the only survivable leg of the nation’s strategic nuclear forces, which also include land-based missiles and aircraft.“I'm humbled to have the opportunity to serve my country,” Wall said.
David Wyscaver is a mass communication specialist 1st Class with the U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach.