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Patriot Sailors Expect Success

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070713-09
Release Date: 7/13/2007 4:52:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Joshua J. Wahl, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Sasebo, Japan

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- USS Patriot (MCM 7) Sailors began a short term Ship’s Restricted Availability (SRA) maintenance period July 2.

Patriot Sailors are teaming up with Japanese contractors from Ship Repair Facility (SRF) to accomplish essential maintenance within four weeks, a small window of time reflecting of the fast-paced tempo of forward deployed naval forces.

“Now that we have come back from our successful spring patrol, it is our priority to ensure the ship is ready for the next underway period,” said Lt. Robert T. Shu, Patriot executive officer.

Since SRA the ship has already begun to see key improvements according to Shu.

“Things are going great for us with more jobs picked-up and accomplishing our all around maintenance ahead of schedule,” said Shu.

For the timely completion of this SRA, all departments are working hard to fulfill their role during the maintenance period. Each department knows how important it is to have fully-functioning equipment.

“This ship goes out and comes back in all the time and training-cycles are coming up, so we have to keep the condition of the different equipment like gas turbines, CHT [collection, holding and transfer] valves and evaporators ready at all times.” said Hull Technician 1st Class (SW) William V. Neiderman.

In other departments, the push to get things is a priority.

“The CS’s [culinary specialists] are working hard every day and are putting in extra hours when needed to make sure the crew is fed if work hours get long,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class (AW) Santiago A. Miyagishima.

The improvements involved would not be as smooth if it were not for many of the junior Sailors stepping up to ensure the ship remains in ready condition, according to Patriot’s senior leaders.

“I am enjoying the opportunity to learn the job, and I think the ship should be ready for when we pull out again,” said Damage Contolman 3rd Class Dakota J. Bingham, who is responsible for maintenance on the AFFF systems.

Following the SRA, the Patriot crew will resume its role as the nation’s mine countermeasures defense for forward-deployed Expeditionary Strike Group 7.

Patriot and USS Guardian (MCM 5) are mine countermeasure ships forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan. Patriot and Guardian serve under Task Force 76, which serves as the 7th Fleet’s mine countermeasures arm in forward-deployed operations. The ship is currently deployed in Southeast Asia to support the 7th Fleet’s interoperability and training commitments in mine neutralization warfare and maritime operations.