USA: MCPON Aboard PCU America

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens held an all hands call with Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) America (LHA 6), Dec. 11.

During his visit, Stevens also frocked five Sailors, toured the ship and met with senior leadership.

“I’m glad to have the opportunity to be here today,” said Stevens. “I’m here to listen to you and address your concerns.”

During the all hands call Stevens answered multiple questions from training funding to uniforms and Navy-wide curriculum concerns.

Stevens said trips like this help him inform leadership about the challenges Sailors face, including issues that vary by geographic location. At the end of the all hands call Stevens gave the three principles he tries to live by and how he’s been successful in the Navy.

“First, work hard,” said Stevens. “Second, stay out of trouble. Third, and most important, be a good and decent person to your family, friends, shipmates and yourself.”

Stevens visit concluded with a tour of the ships hangar bay, flight deck, medical, galley and flight deck control spaces.

America will be the first ship of its class, replacing the Tarawa class of amphibious assault ships. As the next generation “big-deck” amphibious ship, America will be optimized for aviation, capable of supporting current and future aircraft such as the tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey and Joint Strike Fighter. The ship will provide flexible, multi-mission capabilities spanning from forward-deployed crisis response to maritime security operations.

The ship was christened Oct. 20, 2012 and is currently undergoing construction in Pascagoula, Miss., and is scheduled for commissioning in San Francisco next year.

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Press Release, December 13, 2013; Image: US Navy