#fire controlman

Pumping gas....

     .....way out to sea....

          .....on the far side of the planet from home....

EAST CHINA SEA (November 7, 2020) -- Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Seaman Jacob Fischer, USN, (top) and Fire Controlman 3rd Class Kyle Soriano, USN, heave a line aboard United States Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) during a replenishment-at-sea (UNREP) with Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10).

A complex evolution like a refueling/resupplying at sea requires an almost all-hands effort beyond just the deck crew. From necessary raw manpower, to stowing supplies below decks, to safety protocols....it takes a huge team effort.

                                         _____________________

>>Top two photos: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryre Arciaga, USN

The two ships involved here:

                              USS Shiloh (CG 67)....needing fuel

R2-D2 goes to sea....

CORAL SEA (August 3, 2019) -- Navy Fire Controlmen conduct routine maintenance checks on a MK-15 Phalanx close-in weapons system (CIWS) mounted on the stern of United States Navy amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1).

                                              USS Wasp (LHD 1)

CIWS provides self-defense against airborne threats such as incoming anti-ship missiles, drones and helicopters. It essentially throws a wall of metal up in front of an incoming threat....luring missiles off-course and/or destroying them in-flight, and establishing a deadly barrier to an incoming helicopter or drone.

USS Wasp (LHD 1) and her Amphibious Ready Group of escorts are deployed to the far reaches of the Western Pacific Ocean right now.

                                         *          *          *          *

See the similarity in appearance between CIWS and the famous android....

                            R2-D2 of Star Wars fame

                                   ___________________________

After hours of medical checkups and other procedures concerning my background, I have officially been sworn in as a Navy Seaman. I ship out on Nov. 10, but I’ll be trained into becoming an AECF (Advanced Electronics/Computer Field), hopefully as an FC (Fire Controlman).