Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Cameron Stoner | 180630-N-UB406-0014 NORWEGIAN SEA (June 30, 2018) Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd...... read more read more
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NORWEGIAN SEA ¬– A Jacksonville native and 2010 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Alexander Legg, is currently serving aboard the forward-deployed guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99).
Before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 2013, Legg had plenty of exposure to life as a service member through his father, David Legg, four years of NJROTC in high school, and his time spent as a civilian employee on Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
“My father retired in 2011 with 25 years of service throughout the Army, Marine Corps and Navy Seabees, so I was definitely a military kid,” said Legg. “Then, after I graduated high school in 2010, I went on to work on NAS Jacksonville alongside service members in uniform. Working there made me finally decide that enlisting is what I wanted to do.”
As a Sonar Technician, Legg is responsible for operating sonar sensors for the detection, tracking and classification of contacts. He’s also tasked with analyzing, interpreting and reporting all audio, which may originate from ships, submarines, torpedoes and marine life.
“While underway, my primary duties as a sonar technician are tracking, identifying and reporting sounds that our ship collects,” said Legg. “There’s also equipment that we have to ensure is maintained so we can successfully do our job.” Legg’s involvement aboard Farragut extends far beyond his primary duties as a sonar technician. He is also work center supervisor, coordinates maintenance to ensure it does not conflict with ship operations and trains and mentors junior sailors.
“My favorite part of being a Sailor is having the opportunity to mentor and train junior Ssailors as they prepare to one day take my position on the ship,” said Legg.
Having a long relationship with the military prior to his enlistment through his father, as well as his own five years in the service, Legg values the tradition and camaraderie the Navy provides.
“My favorite memory in the Navy so far is when I crossed the Arctic Circle and had the honor to conduct the traditional blue nose ceremony,” said Legg. “It was challenging, but working alongside your shipmates to overcome an obstacle while at the same time building camaraderie is what I always imagine when I thought of the military.”
Another military moment he cherishes involves civilians displaying patriotism for the U.S. Navy at Fleet Week New York.
“A second favorite Navy memory of mine would be Fleet Week New York 2016,” said Legg. “It was an absolute blast being in the big apple with other Sailors and watching as everyone celebrated ships and our service.”
According to Legg, his ability to balance his responsibilities while mentoring junior Sailors and enjoying the traditions and camaraderie of the Navy is possible due to his support back home.
“My biggest support unit is my family back in Jacksonville, my wife Serena, my son Nolan and the baby we are expecting,” said Legg. “Knowing they’re back home supporting me motivates me to be the best I can be. I miss them, my brother Arthur, my mom, my dad and my friends back home like my best man Danny. I love them all.”
Farragut is currently deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. With USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as the flagship, deployed strike group units include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group Eight (CSG 8), Destroyer Squadron Two Eight (DESRON 28) and Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1); as well as Sachsen-class German Frigate FGS Hessen (F221).
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.13.2018 03:48 |
| Story ID: | 284075 |
| Location: | NORWEGIAN SEA |
| Hometown: | JACKSONVILLE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Jacksonville Native Serves Aboard USS Farragut, by CPO Stephen Oleksiak, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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