Page 20 - HIWT Winter 2014 World of Welding

THE WORLD OF WELDING http://www.welding.org

U.S. NAVY AT WORK

(Continued from page 18)
Petty Officer 1st
Class Benjamin
SIDNEY, OHIO GRADUATES SERVE ABOARD USS Platfoot, a fire
ZUMWALT controlman and
leading petty
by Lieutenant Chad Murphy and Mass Communication officer, is a
Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of native of Sidney,
Community Outreach Ohio and a
2007 graduate
of Sidney High
Bath, Maine – Sidney High School graduates are serving aboard School.
one of the Navy’s newest and most advanced ships, the
destroyer Zumwalt (DDG 1000), which is currently under
construction at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine.
Petty Officer 1st Class
The Zumwalt, which is scheduled to be commissioned in 2016, Chad J. Gepfrey is a so-
will receive the familiar United States Ship (USS) designation nar technician aboard
and become USS Zumwalt. the Zumwalt. He is a
2001 Sidney High School
Built with a stealth-like design intended to reduce the ship’s graduate and is a native
radar profile, the Zumwalt’s futuristic appearance seems fitting of Anna, Ohio.
given that the ship’s commanding officer is Capt. James Kirk.

The ship has advanced technologies in every area – engines, Platfoot said it is an exciting time to be in the Navy, helping
power systems, weapons systems, shipboard electronics and to build a crew and a ship from scratch, something he never
sensors – making it one of the world’s most capable ships. When expected to be doing just a couple years ago. He also said he is
at sea, Zumwalt will perform a variety of missions including proud of the work he is doing to help commission and man one
attacking targets on land with gunfire and cruise missiles, of the Navy’s newest ships. As a 25-year-old with numerous
hunting and tracking submarines, airspace surveillance and responsibilities, Platfoot said he is learning about himself as a
support to special operations forces. Longer than two football leader, sailor and a person. “Joining the Navy opened my view
fields, the ship is 80 feet wide and weighs more than 15,000 of things by traveling and seeing other cultures,” said Platfoot.

long tons when fully loaded. Twin gas turbine engines can “I’ve also become a better communicator, being able to get a
push the ship through the water at more than 30 knots message across…what needs to be done, how to get it done.”
Gepfrey said, “I’ve learned that I
can do anything I put my mind to,
and developed the confidence to
try. I have matured in the Navy. It
has given me direction not only
professionally but in my personal
life.”

“USS Zumwalt represents the
beginning of another era of service
for this great name,” said Kirk. “Just
as Admiral Zumwalt helped shape
USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics/Released) our nation’s Navy as the 19th chief
of naval operations, this ship will
help shape the future of surface combatants. The sophisticated
Zumwalt is named in honor of Adm. Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt new technologies incorporated aboard this ship, combined
Jr., who served as chief of naval operations, the Navy’s most with its multi-mission capabilities, will ensure it is a relevant
senior uniformed officer, from 1970-1974. and integral part of our battle force for years to come.”

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