Simi Valley, California, native serves aboard USS Charleston while operating in Southeast Asia

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Dan Serianni | 230212-N-HG846-1007 SINGAPORE (Feb. 12, 2023) – Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Jacob Williams, from Simi Valley, California, installs a hydraulic pump in an engineering space aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, Feb. 12. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Serianni)  

SINGAPORE

03.08.2023

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dan Serianni 

Command Destroyer Squadron 7

SINGAPORE (Mar. 7, 2023) – Simi Valley, California, native and 2014 Royal High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18).

Petty Officer First Class Jacob Williams is a Hull Maintenance Technician, or HT, serving aboard Charleston, homeported out of Naval Base San Diego.

Hull maintenance technicians are experienced welders and metal works who can forge or fabricate anything the ship needs to repair – everything from hull breaches to broken pipes. They also maintain shipboard plumbing and marine sanitation systems, repair small boats, operate and maintain ballast control systems and manage Quality Assurance Programs.

“An HT basically does metal fabrication, structural welding, pipe fitting, braising and works on all piping systems,” said Williams. “I came from a command where I was welding in a ship-fitters shop all day long but here I’ve fallen into damage control and the engineering plant.”

While serving aboard an LCS, HTs are a part of the Engineering department and integrates with damage control to maintain the condition of ship structures and surfaces, install, maintain repair valves, plumbing fitting and fixtures piping and sanitation systems.

“I have a lot of pride being an HT,” said Williams. “I think my engineering and damage control qualifications will help me in my future as I pursue a limited-duty officer or warrant officer position.”

While on deployment, Charleston has contributed to various critical missions in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Most recently, Charleston transited the South China Sea to conduct presence operations, upholding the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law.

“The best thing about the Navy, so far, has been seeing how much I've grown over the years at each command,” said Williams. “So, it's cool have been put into this environment and see how this situation has turned out for the better.”

Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

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• Date Taken: 03.08.2023
• Date Posted: 03.07.2023 23:54
• Story ID: 438906
• Location: SG
• Hometown: SIMI VALLEY, CA, US