US Sailor in Bahrain Named Diving Unit’s Sailor of the Year

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Joshua Kelsey | Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jericho Diego, diver, assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1, is the unit's 2010 Sailor of the Year.  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

12.12.2010

Story by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Kelsey 

Commander Task Force 56

MANAMA, Bahrain - Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jericho Diego, diver, was recently named the 2010 Sailor of the Year for Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1.

Diego is deployed with MDSU 1 as the Operations Leading Petty Officer of Combined Task Group 56.1 to Naval Support Activity, Bahrain where he actively supports anti-terrorism operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. As the LPO, Diego is responsible for planning operations, diplomatic clearances and travel arrangements, as well as all logistical requirements that enable each team to carry out their mission.

"As LPO of the Operations Department, and a staff member to the Commanding Officer, he [Diego] has an enormous amount of responsibility supporting seven task units and ensuring every team has what they need to carry out their mission," said CTG 56.1 operations officer, Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Theodorou. "With his outstanding performance, motivation and dedication, as well as his ability to adapt to changing environments, I had no doubt that he would be MDSU 1's Sailor of the Year for 2010."

A native of Hana, Hawaii, Diego has recently deployed with the Coast Guard to Pago Pago, American Samoa where he lead a team in defueling USS Chehalis resulting in the removal of 68,000 gallons of aviation gasoline from 160 feet of seawater. Diego has also deployed as a member of Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command, where he traveled to the
Republic of Palau and led a team in the recovery of 14 aircrew members missing in action since WWII, as well as Quynh Phoung, Vietnam, where his team positively identified a Navy F4-B Phantom aircraft missing since the Vietnam conflict.

"The feeling of finding the remains of those that went before us and the fact that they and their families made the ultimate sacrifice for our country was definitely a highlight of my career," Diego said. "JPAC missions help bring closure to the families with MIA/POW loved ones and I will definitely cherish those missions for the rest of my life."

Throughout his 10 years of service, Diego has been awarded a Joint Service Achievement Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, five Navy Achievement Medals, and three Flag Letters of Commendation as well as various service medals.

• Date Taken: 12.12.2010
• Date Posted: 12.20.2010 13:26
• Story ID: 62347
• Location: MANAMA, BH