YOKOSUKA, Japan — A 2007 A. Crawford Mosley High School graduate and Panama City native is serving aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89), living and working at the Navy’s forward-deployed base south of Tokyo.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Ian Schroeder is a fire controlman aboard the destroyer operating out of Yokosuka, which is about 35 miles south of Tokyo and accommodates the United States’ furthest forward-deployed naval forces.
An Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Mustin is 509 feet long or more than 1 1/2 football fields. The ship is 66 feet wide, weighs more than 9,200 tons, and its four gas turbine engines can push the ship through the ocean at nearly 35 miles per hour. The ship is named in honor of the Mustin family, who has recorded a family legacy to the Navy service that lasted from 1896 until 1989.
As a sailor with numerous responsibilities, Schroeder said he is proud to serve his country aboard a destroyer in Japan. He added that it is an exciting time to be in the military.
“I’m responsible for maintaining the AEGIS computer network,” he said. “We are like the Geek Squad for the ship.”
Schroeder also said he is proud of the work he is doing as part of the Mustin’s 330-member crew, living thousands of miles from home.
“Being forward deployed naval forces I have gotten to see a lot of things like Angkor Wat Cambodia, Hong Kong, Thailand and most of Asia,” Schroeder said.
“Mustin is always where she needs to be when it matters. I am so proud of the utmost professionalism her Sailors display every day,” said Cmdr. Joseph A. Torres, Jr., the ship’s commanding officer. “Their honor, courage, commitment, and selfless dedication to the Navy are truly motivating.”
About 40 officers and 290 enlisted sailors make up the ship’s company and helicopter detachment. Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the 2 billion dollar destroyer running smoothly — this includes everything from washing dishes and preparing meals to maintaining engines and handling weaponry, as well as conducting helicopter flight operations.
“If I hadn’t joined the Navy I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to travel,” Schroeder said. “I have also learned a lot of technical things that will serve me in my civilian life.”