Desert Messenger

April 20, 2016 www.DesertMessenger.com 5 Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com /DesertMessengerNews Follow on Twitter @DesertMessenger @QuartzsiteRain Parker High grad serving in U.S Navy Quartzsite Beauty Salon Perms, Colors, Haircuts. Men & Women HOURS May thru Sept. TUES 9am -7pm - WED 7am-3pm Walk Ins Welcome! 250 E. Main Street Quartzsite, AZ 928-927-6664 585 N. Central Quartzsite Open Mon-Fri 8-5 928-927-8787 Johnny DelPino, Owner BEST AUTO RV & TRUCK REPAIR SERVICE YOU CAN DEPEND ON! We sell U-HAUL BOXES C & B LOCK & KEY Betty Crenshaw CML Owner 41 Years Experience 928-927-6589 MOBILE SERVICE ONLY RVS AUTOS KEYLESS ENTRY MOTORCYCLES KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTES SAFES OPENED COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL Bonded - Insured BLM Approved Serving Quartzsite and Surrounding Areas Nature's Nuggets BUYS & SELLS GOLD Nuggets - Jewelry- Coins- Sivler Call Richard Trusty 928-927-5479 Quartzsite YEAR ROUND! GOLD SHOW Feb. 10, 11, 12 2017 By U.S. Navy Chief Mass Com- munication Specialist Bill Steele, Navy Offi ce of Community Out- reach Public Affairs PEARL HARBOR – A 2007 Parker High School graduate and Parker, Arizona native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the Navy's newest attack submarines, the USS North Carolina. Seaman Logan Kummerle is an electronics technician (subma- rine, navigation) aboard the Pearl Harbor-based boat, one of only 12 Virginia-class attack submarines in the Navy's fl eet. The Virginia class is comprised of the Navy's newest and most advanced subs. A Navy electronics technician is responsible for for repair and maintenance of the sub's naviga- tion systems. "The guys I work with, they just make the job a lot better," said Kummerle. "I am also lucky to be able to travel with this crew. We've been to South Korea, Ja- pan, and Guam." With a crew of 130, this subma- rine is 377 feet long and weighs approximately 7,800 tons. A nu- clear-powered propulsion system helps push the submarine through the water at more than 25 mph. Attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; carry out intelligence, sur- veillance, and reconnaissance mis- sions; and engage in mine warfare. Their primary tactical advantage is stealth, operating undetected un- der the sea for long periods of time. "Submarine sailors never cease to amaze me with their ability to complete complex missions in the world's most challenging environ- ments," said Rear Adm. Fritz Roeg- ge, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacifi c Fleet. "Continued U.S. undersea superiority is not possible without their dedication, expertise and professionalism." According to Navy offi cials, be- cause of the demanding environ- ment aboard submarines, person- nel are accepted only after rigorous testing and observation. Submari- ners are some of the most highly trained and skilled people in the Navy. The training is highly techni- cal, and each crew has to be able to operate, maintain, and repair every system or piece of equipment on board. Regardless of their special- ty, everyone also has to learn how everything on the ship works and how to respond in emergencies to become "qualifi ed in submarines" and earn the right to wear the cov- eted gold or silver dolphins on their uniform. "It's like serving with family, as cliched as that sounds," said Kummerle. "Everyone onboard is awesome which makes it fun to be here." Challenging submarine living conditions actually build strong fellowship among the elite crew, Navy offi cials explained. The crews are highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches, and drills. "To be part of something bigger than myself gives me a sense of pride and satisfaction, and that's why I serve in the Navy," Kum- merle added. Seaman Logan Kummerle

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