YOKOSUKA—A Filipino is serving as a machinist mate in the US Navy forward-deployed guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Aero Jio Espiritu, whose hometown was not disclosed, is a machinist’s mate aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer operating out of Yokosuka, Japan.
The ship routinely deploys to protect alliances, enhance partnerships, and be ready to respond if a natural disaster occurs in the region.
A Navy machinist’s mate is responsible for operating and maintaining steam turbines and reduction gears used for ship propulsion and auxiliary machinery.
Espiritu is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Luzon.
“In the Philippines, they emphasize the importance of hard work,” said Espiritu.
“I learned flexibility and being a team leader. I can handle hard work and overtime; no sleep is normal for me. I’m used to it; it’s good for me.”
Moments like that makes it worth serving around the world ready at all times to defend America’s interests.
With more than 50 percent of the world’s shipping tonnage and a third of the world’s crude oil passing through the region, the United States has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world, an official statement said.
The Navy’s presence in Yokosuka is part of that long-standing commitment, explained Navy officials.
“I learned a lot during our underways, I saved a lot of money,” said Espiritu.
Destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities.
They are 510 feet long and armed with tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, Standard Missile-3 and newer variants of the SM missile family, advanced gun systems and close-in gun systems.
Destroyers are deployed globally and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, or amphibious readiness groups.
Their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is the precondition for everything else the Navy does.
It cannot project power, secure the commons, deter aggression, or assure allies without the ability to control the seas when and where desired.
Curtis Wilbur has anti-aircraft capability armed with long range missiles intended for air defense to counter the threat to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and tactical ballistic missiles.
As a member of one of the US Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Espiritu and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Being in the Navy makes me proud to serve my country,” said Espiritu.
“Serving in the Navy helps me help my family in Philippines and in the states and it helps me grow into a better person.”
Seventh Fleet, which is celebrating its 75th year in 2018, spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South.
Seventh Fleet’s area of operation encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 US ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 sailors in the 7th Fleet.
