A Christiansburg, Virginia, native and 2010 Hargrave Military Academy High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy with the forward-deployed unit, Naval Beach Unit 7.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Giles is a gas turbine systems technician (mechanical) operating forward in Sasebo, Japan.
A Navy gas turbine systems technician (mechanical) is responsible for operating, repairing and performing organizational and intermediate maintenance on electrical components of gas turbine engines, main propulsion machinery, auxiliary equipment, propulsion control systems, and assigned electrical and electronic circuitry up to the printed circuit and alarm warning circuitry.
Giles is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Christiansburg.
“Growing up I learned not to judge a book by it’s cover and diversity is good,” said Giles. “The only thing you can hate is ignorance.”
Giles has been a part of two deployments and received the Navy Achievement Medal for repairing two main engines underway on the USS Somerset, his highest achievement so far.
Moments like that makes it worth serving around the world ready at all times to defend America’s interests. With more than 50 percent of the world’s shipping tonnage and a third of the world’s crude oil passing through the region, the United States has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world. The Navy’s presence in Sasebo is part of that long-standing commitment, explained Navy officials.
Commissioned in August of 2012, Naval Beach Unit 7 was formed to combine the three forward deployed naval forces detachments in Japan.
Personnel from the command are responsible manning and operating either the landing craft—such as the landing craft air cushion or the landing craft utility—or manage landing operations from the beach.
NBU 7 landing craft serve an important function for the Amphibious Force 7th Fleet in being able to move personnel and equipment from ship to shore.
“I’m excited about being in Japan because it is a new experience and I am all about being here,” said Giles. “The Navy has definitely opened my eyes to different opportunities and different things I want to do. The Navy has given me a lot of direction.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Giles and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of honor and integrity,” said Giles. “The people back home are proud of what we are doing out here to keep them safe.”
Seventh Fleet, which is celebrating its 75th year in 2018, spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South.
Seventh Fleet’s area of operation encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 sailors in the 7th Fleet.
