Page 7 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, June 29 2018

Desert lightning news s. nevaDa hometown heroes June 29, 2018 7 www.aerotechnews.com/nellisafb Facebook.com/NellisDesertLightningNews
las vegas native serves on a “city at sea” aboard navy’s largest amphibious warfare ship
by PO1 James H. Green
San Diego, Calif.
A Las Vegas native and 2002 Desert Pines High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the amphibi- ous assault ship USS Makin Island.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Sherelle Merino is an aviation boatswain’s mate (fuels) aboard the amphibious assault ship operating out of San Diego. An aviation boatswain’s mate (fuels) is responsible for making sure the fuel that is sent to the aircraft is clean and free of water and sediment.
Merino credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned grow- ing up in Las Vegas.
“Growing up in Las Vegas makes it crucial to have strong self-control with your money,” said Merino.
Makin Island, one of the Navy’s most advanced and largest amphibi- ous ships, is designed to deliver Ma-
rines and their equipment where they are needed to support a variety of missions ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian relief efforts.
The ship, which resembles a small aircraft carrier, is longer than two football fields at 847 feet, is 106 feet wide and weighs more than 41,000 tons fully loaded. It has gas turbine engines and two variable speed electric motors that can push the ship through the water in excess of 20 knots. It can carry more than 12 helicopters and six fixed-wing aircraft.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard Makin Island. More than 1,000 men and women make up the ship’s crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from handling weaponry to maintaining the engines. An additional 1,700 Ma- rines can be embarked. It is capable
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