MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Approximately 130 Matthew C. Perry Elementary School students ventured through the passageways and decks of the USS Patriot at the new port facility here Monday.
Patriot captain Lt. Cmdr. Thomas E. Schultz and crewmen led the students on a tour of the Mine Countermeasures Ship in an effort to teach the younger generation about the ship’s capabilities and the jobs the sailors perform on a day-to-day basis.
“It’s great to have the kids out here seeing what it is we do,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class John R. Golden, Patriot mineman and Phoenix native. “I enjoy teaching the people who are going to be us eventually.”
The children, excited about discovering the 224-foot warship’s potential, boarded the ship with ear-to-ear smiles. The tour was split into several parts with crewmembers explaining the various uses of equipment onboard.
“These are the guys I like talking to,” said Golden. “You can really see the amazement on their faces and their smiles make you feel important. Plus, I like the fact they ask a lot of questions.”
Seaman Frank A. Alvarado, Patriot mineman and Bronx, N.Y. native, led the first part of the tour, explaining to the children different areas and responsibilities in maintaining the bow of a ship. He also gave the kids a walkthrough on how to drop an anchor and use the break.
“It’s a lot of fun learning about the ship,” said Koudai G. Frankling, 10, M.C. Perry 5th grader and Yokosuka, Japan native. “This is a great experience and I like learning about mines.”
Other parts of the tour entailed a brief on the Navy’s AN/SLQ-48 Mine Neutralization System, a remote-operated mini-submarine that successfully reacquires mines with no inadvertent detonations, along with tours of the aft, bridge and mess area.
“I think this tour is really great and unique for the children of Iwakuni,” said Craig Clark, M.C. Perry 5th grade teacher and Arlington, Texas native. “The kids really need to see technology used so they can help get a better understanding of it.”
While the tour only lasted for 30 minutes per class, it gave the children a good understanding of what life is like on ship and how a Navy minesweeper works, according to Clark.
“I think this should happen a lot more often,” said Clark. “Many of the kids were excited to see what the Patriot had to offer and I’m looking forward to visits in the future.”