Page 20 - San Diego Woman interactive pdf

UNDER THE C OL ORS

SAN DIEGO NATIVE SUPPORTS U.S. NAVY SHIPYARD
SURGE AS PART OF COVID-19 RESPONSE

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - A 2011 San Diego State University graduate and
native of San Diego with hometown ties to China, is serving at Pearl Harbor Naval
Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility as part of the largest mobilization
of reservists in Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) history. The mobilization
is tied directly to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Chen is one of the reserve sailors deployed to
the Navy’s four public shipyards as part of the Surge Maintenance (SurgeMain)
program. Established in 2005 to augment the Navy’s organic civilian shipyard
workforce in times of need, SurgeMain has 2,200 enlisted reserve sailors and 240
reserve officers across 75 units.
“Serving in the Navy at this shipyard means I'm part of the solution," Chen
said. "I'm here to help and to reduce all the backlogs that was caused by the
Coronavirus. No matter what assignment I've been tasked with, I'll always do my
best."
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With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the
world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables
lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity
and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

MATHEW STARLIN
Chief Information Systems
Technician Submarines Mathew
Starlin, a San Diego native, is
pinned to his current rank by
his wife, Mckenna and son,
Austin, during the Commander,
Submarine Group 7 chief’s
pinning and advancement
ceremony, Jan. 29, 2021. The
traditional ceremony recognizes
the most significant promotion
of a Navy Sailor’s career. (U.S.
Navy photo by Lt. Cassandra
Thompson/Released)

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