EAST CHINA SEA (NNS) – A New York native is protecting cyber security in the Indo-Pacific in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile cruiser, USS Shiloh.
Information System Technician Seaman Kevin Depaz is serving aboard the forward-deployed Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser operating out of Yokosuka, Japan.
Approximately 300 men and women serve aboard the ship. Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the cruiser running smoothly, according to Navy officials. They do everything from maintaining gas turbine engines and operating highly sophisticated Aegis weapons system to driving the ship and operating small boats.
Navy Information SystemsTechnicians are specialists at ensuring off-ship connectivity and protecting the ship’s cyber security.
“I wasn’t expecting to become an IT when I first joined.” said Depaz. “It was an interesting transition from thinking I was going to special warfare to managing the ships communications.”
With more than 50 percent of the world’s shipping tonnage and 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.
Forward-deployed Sailors are crucial to the success of the global navy mission and earn high praise from their leaders.
“So far, I love being forward-deployed.” Said Depaz. “Getting to soak in the amount and variation of different evolutions we do has made me more capable than I thought.”
Sailors serving abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions, explained Navy officials.
“I thought I would hate being in a foreign country that is so different from the States.” Said Depaz. “The Japanese culture has taught me differently and I look forward to being able to go to other countries.”
A Navy cruiser is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with a vertical launching system, tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, and small arms.
Sailors play a vital role in the overall military mission around the world.
Shiloh is operating as part of the Ronald Reagan Strike Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of its allies and partners in the region.
For more information on USS Shiloh and other forward-deployed ships in Japan, visit https://www.facebook.com/CTF70.
| Date Taken: | 10.07.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 10.07.2020 00:22 |
| Story ID: | 380394 |
| Location: | AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, New York native serves aboard USS Shiloh, by LTJG Luke Lanham, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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