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WESTERN PACIFIC (Mar. 4, 2010) – Arleigh
Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) has a
history of producing outstanding sailors. The ship’s trend continued
in 2009, demonstrated by the success of Operations Specialist First
Class (SW) Samira McBride and Damage Controlman Second Class (SW/AW)
Linda Ogbah.
Petty Officer McBride, a native of Chad, will travel to San Diego on
March 8, to represent Carrier Strike Group Five in the Commander,
Naval Surface Forces Pacific Sea/Shore Sailor of the Year
competition. One of only eight sailors in the Pacific Fleet to be
nominated, she is an Anti-Submarine/Anti-Surface Tactical Air
Controller who works closely with the ship’s embarked helicopter
detachment during both exercises and real-world operations.
In addition to her tactical duties, McBride served the command in a
number of roles, including as her division’s Leading Petty Officer,
Command Managed Equal Opportunity Advisor, New Petty Officer
Leadership Course Coordinator, Shipmate Coordinator, and Command
Financial Specialist.
For her efforts, Petty Officer McBride was recognized as the
Destroyer Squadron 15 Sailor of the Year and went on to win the
award for Sailor of the Year for Carrier Strike Group Five.
“Petty Officer McBride has had positive effects all over the ship,”
said Ens. Sam Graessle, McBride’s division officer. “Whether working
in her division, mentoring junior sailors on the deckplates, or
supporting the command’s programs, she is a major contributor to the
ship’s mission readiness.”
Petty Officer Ogbah, who serves as the Maintenance and Material
Management System Work Center Supervisor for Lassen’s damage control
petty officers, was honored in a celebration last month for her
selection as Destroyer Squadron 15 Junior Sailor of the Year.
The same day, she was praised by assessors from Afloat Training
Group Western Pacific for her damage control maintenance program.
They described the program as “one of the best they [had] seen” and
“a model for other ships to emulate.” Ogbah was one of the key
factors in the success of Lassen’s recent 3M Mid-cycle Assessment,
scoring an unprecedented 100% on her Work Center Administrative
Effectiveness Review. |
