By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Bill Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Alex Diaz
SAN DIEGO – A 2009 Morgan High School graduate and Morgan, Utah, native is serving aboard an Avenger mine countermeasure ship designed to clear mines from vital waterways across the globe.
Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Walker is a Navy mineman serving aboard USS Champion under the command of Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
As a Navy mineman, Walker is responsible for detection, classification and neutralization of underwater mines.
“I like the small team aspect of being a mineman. It's like a family,” said Walker. “We do something that people don't even think about doing, or just do in video games.”
Walker credits success in the Navy to lessons he learned growing up in Morgan.
“It’s a country town where I developed a good work ethic,” he said. “I spent time helping my grandparents on the farm, getting my hands and pants dirty in the process.”
Mine countermeasure ships are designed as mine sweepers/hunter-killers capable of finding, classifying and destroying moored and bottom mines. These ships use sonar and video systems, cable cutters and a mine detonating device that can be released and detonated by remote control.
Hunting mines is a slow, laborious task that requires a ship to stay in a small area until it’s done, according to the Navy. Since 1945, mines have sunk almost four times more U.S. ships than all other threats combined, said Navy officials.
The worldwide threat, which today totals more than a million weapons of some 300 different types, comprises rudimentary but still-dangerous World War I-era contact mines to highly sophisticated, multiple-influence and programmable weapons, reports the Navy. These figures are for sea mines, proper; they do not include underwater-improvised explosive devices that can be fashioned from fuel bladders, 50-gallon drums, and even discarded refrigerators.
The ships deploy a remotely operated mine disposal system and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) mine neutralization system. The disposal system detects, locates, classifies and neutralizes moored mines and mines resting on the seabed. The vehicle uses high-frequency, high-resolution sonar, low light level television, cable cutters and explosive charges to detect and dispose of mines, while remaining tethered to the vessel by a cable and under control of the vessel. Each ship accommodates a crew of 80.
“I just got here but I’ve been able to lead people in the right direction, and I think be a breath of fresh air,” said Walker.
As part of the Navy, Walker explained that sailors are helping to build a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, including helping to develop new war-fighting capabilities to continue the Navy’s success on the world’s oceans.
“My grandpa was in the Air Force and gave me a kick in the pants when I really didn't know what I wanted do after high school. I needed some direction and guidance,” Walker said. “Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment. It's something people notice about you without you having to say it.”
