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Expeditionary Center NCO supports Continuing Promise 2008 aboard USS Boxer

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Public Affairs
FORT DIX, N.J. --  Tech. Sgt. Joseph Jones has never needed seaworthy legs working in the Air Mobility Battlelab here. In that position, he does a lot more flying aboard planes than anything else -- not surprising since he's in the Air Force.

Since late April, however, Sergeant Jones has a new assignment - serving aboard the U.S. Navy's USS Boxer as a Spanish language translator.

"Although I've spent my entire life translating for family, friends and even strangers, this is my first time doing it in an assigned capacity," Sergeant Jones said.

Sergeant Jones' deployment on the Boxer is part of Operation Continuing Promise 2008. According to a U.S. Southern Command press release, the USS Boxer, along with various embarked units and non-governmental organizations, departed Naval Base San Diego April 28 en route to Latin American nations for the Pacific phase of Continuing Promise.

"Continuing Promise is an equal partnership mission designed to combine partner nation and U.S. relief capabilities to demonstrate the lasting bonds and shared interests among neighbors," the release said. "Specific locations for the ship's relief operations include Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru. The deployment is scheduled to last through June."

While at sea, Sergeant Jones said his job is to translate official documents from English to Spanish.

"These documents range from official speeches to medical training slides," Sergeant Jones said. "When in country at either Guatemala, El Salvador or Peru, I translate for medical patients who have afflictions that range anywhere from tuberculosis to optometry to dental problems.

"I also accompany the veterinary team out to the local ranches and help translate the vaccination and de-worming needs between host nation ranchers and veterinarians and our team. We also train the local populous on preventative measures to keep their livestock healthy."

Sergeant Jones said he grew up speaking Spanish so this duty comes somewhat naturally.

"I grew up speaking Spanish in the house, as my mother is Mexican," Sergeant Jones said. "Continuous trips to the doctor as I grew up taught me to translate beyond the street slang level of speech. I found this deployment to be a perfect opportunity to use this ability."

He's been busy working and for the most part his deployment has been smooth sailing. However, when he first got on board the Boxer, he said it took a little while to get used to the accommodations.

"There are a lot of differences between the Navy and the Air Force," Sergeant Jones said. "The first noticeable difference was the bunk space that I was assigned to. It measures 24 inches high by six-feet, two-inches long by 24 inches wide. The mattress can be lifted up to access the storage space beneath, which offers just enough room to separate shirts and socks from my towel and underwear."

He added it's also easy to lose track of time. "Over the course of the time I've been on the ship, I can easily lose count of what day it is," Sergeant Jones said. "I try to go up on the deck at least once a day, so as not to turn into a mole. Overall, however, life on a ship is not bad once you get used to all the unique corners, rails, bars, hallways, stairways and mainl ... the rules of being on a ship. And of course, the most precious asset on a ship is not the people, it 's the water. Navy showers are quick and fast."

The USS Boxer is a decent sized ship as well. According to a Navy fact sheet, the Boxer is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship that is 844-feet long and has a full displacement of 40,722 tons. The ship was launched in August 1993 and commissioned in February 1995. The current ship is the sixth ship to carry the name Boxer and is the fourth ship of the Wasp class with the name.

Sergeant Jones said he's looking forward to getting home when this deployment is done, but added it's been a great experience.

"I've learned a lot about other countries and about our sea-faring service partner - the Navy," Sergeant Jones said. "This is a lifetime experience I'll never forget."