(SAN DIEGO) – A 2010 Ethel Hedgeman Lyle Academy graduate and St. Louis native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of a crew for one of the country’s most versatile combat ships.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Amber Guy is an electrician’s mate serving with Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Crew 101 based in San Diego, California.
As an electrician’s mate, Guy is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of electrical components on the ship.
“I like being in charge of my programs and the command trusting me to be a leader,” said Guy.
Design characteristics of high speed, maneuverability, shallow draft, networked sensors, organic off-board vehicles (OOVs), and various Mission Packages allow LCS to defeat threats in littoral and blue water environments, including fast surface craft, quiet submarines, and multiple types of mines.
“This command has a lot of opportunities for junior sailors,” said Guy. “I became in charge as a brand new 2nd class and that’s a first for me.”
The training pipeline for an LCS sailor includes advanced off-hull simulator training and on-hull underway opportunities. Crew members say it is not uncommon that this intense and realistic training pipeline enables LCS sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities almost immediately upon stepping onboard.
“Every single day our LCS surface warriors prove they are the best and the brightest – and let me tell you, they love their ships,” said Capt. M. Jordan Harrison, Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE. “LCS are fast, agile, maneuverable and the minimal crew manning affords leadership and qualification opportunities you won’t get anywhere else in the Navy. Visit one of our ships and you will see ensigns and chiefs at the helm because that is just how highly trained and talented and motivated our officers and Sailors are in the LCS community.”
As one of 70 crewmembers aboard one of the Navy’s newest ships, Guy explained they are building a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. Crewmembers know how important it is for the Navy to develop new war fighting capabilities to continue their success on the world’s oceans.
“Being in the Navy means being able to do something bigger than myself that others aren’t willing to do,” said Guy.
LCS enables the Navy to operate successfully around the globe by employing innovative, low-cost, and small-footprint approaches to achieve its security objectives. With every deployment, littoral combat ships are providing increased capabilities that our Sailors are utilizing to conduct successful missions. The LCS platform allows the fleet to increase forward presence and optimize its personnel, improving the ability of the Navy to be where it matters, when it matters.
