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UNDER THE C OL ORS

SAN DIEGO NATIVE PARTICIPATES
IN LARGE SCALE EXERCISE ABOARD
U.S. NAVY WARSHIP
By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach

NORFOLK, Va. - A San Diego native with hometown ties to
the Philippines, is participating in the Large-Scale Exercise
(LSE 2021) aboard USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), a U.S. Navy
warship that transports and launches Marines from sea to shore
as part of amphibious assault operations.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jan Paolo Castro, a 2008 St. Augustine's
High School in the Philippines graduate, joined the Navy five
years ago.
“I wanted to serve my country, be part of the world's greatest
Navy and to be a part of its rich history and tradition,” said
Castro.
According to Castro, the values required to succeed in the
military are similar to those found in both San Diego and the weighs more than 16,000 tons. It has four diesel engines that
Philippines. can push the ship through the water in excess of 25 mph.
“I learned a hard work ethic, initiative, attention to detail, a Serving in the Navy means Castro is part of a world that is
willingness to learn, and to always be motivated and hungry for taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding
knowledge,” said Castro. military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming
business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
LSE 2021 demonstrates the Navy’s ability to employ precise,
lethal, and overwhelming force globally across three naval “Being from the Philippines, I understand that being a member
component commands, five numbered fleets, and 17 time zones. of the military for America is a great honor,” said Castro. “To
LSE 2021 merges live and synthetic training capabilities to serve in the world's greatest Navy is important because it
create an intense, robust training environment. It will connect projects both power and authority.”
high-fidelity training and real-world operations, to build
knowledge and skills needed in today’s complex, multi-domain, With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95
and contested environment. percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic
carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy
"During Large Scale Exercise 21, USS Whidbey Island officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security
demonstrated enhanced medical capabilities while seamlessly of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready
integrating our Fleet Surgical Team,” said commanding officer of Navy.
USS Whidbey Island, Cmdr. Kristel Anne O’Canas. This critical
mission set will allow a dynamic force employment in the As a member of the U.S. Navy, Castro as well as other
Surface Fleet by expanding medical care capacity across various sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing
surface combatants." unforgettable experiences through leadership development,
world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will
Whidbey Island is designed to deliver Marines and their have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of
equipment in support of amphibious operations including sailors who will follow.
landings via Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC), conventional
landing craft and helicopters, onto hostile shores. “Serving in the Navy has made me mature and grow both
professionally and personally in dealing with numerous
Homeported in Little Creek, Virginia, Whidbey Island is longer obstacles in life,” added Castro. “I enjoy it because it’s one of the
than two football fields at 610 feet. The ship is 84 feet wide and most diverse communities in the U.S.”

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