By Blake Haas
PONTIAC – Sounds of waves crashing against the side of the missile destroyer made a 2009 Youth Build Mclean County School graduate recount how living in Pontiac would lead her to relationships with service members from all around the world.
Living in a small town of Pontiac with a population of almost 12,000, Mercedes Smith also known as “Sadie,” had two younger siblings and was classified as a ‘tom-boy’ from her mother, Angela Kovach who recounts Smith as a child.
“Sadie was my tom-boy. She was the one that could figure out how to make a bow and arrow out of tree’s and how to make tepees, she could train animals. She had a cat that she actually trained to ride in this little lego-type train set that she created,” said Kovach with a laugh. “She was defiantly one of those kids that if she had a dream she did it, whether I wanted her too or not she always followed (through) and she was so creative.”
The dream that Smith had in mind growing up was making her family proud and serving her country.
That dream turned into reality when Petty Officer 3rd Class Mercedes Smith strapped up her boots and stepped aboard the DDG 110 USS William P. Lawrence, a missile destroyer, which is stationed out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
As the sun creeps it’s way across the north Pacific Ocean dancing across the white caps of the ocean, yelling can be heard across the missile destroyer for training in the world’s largest international maritime exercise known as the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).
“Flight quarters, the ship is at flight quarters,” wakes Smith up who wakes up for breakfast anywhere from 6 a.m to 7:30 a.m. “Man the boat decks, red deck, amber deck, green deck.”
Walking into the cafeteria aboard the missile destroyer is just like her high school cafeteria, but the food is way worse Smith recalls.
“The food sucks, no way around it. It’s like way worse than the high school cafeteria. You learn to stock up on noodles and snacks before you leave port. We do have a ship store which sells junk food so everyone gets a little sluggish by the second week in,” added Smith.
Work aboard the missile destroyer is around the clock, but for Smith work begins when she laces up her boots at 8 a.m.
“My division, ER (emergency repair) muster (gathering of military personnel) on the midship (top of the ship) at 8 a.m., ” added Smith. “After we muster we go right into cleaning stations until 0930 (9:30 a.m.). That’s where we basically just protect the integrity of the spaces we own. Then I have Sound and Security watch from 1045-1445,(10:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.) That’s where you check readings and investigate any alarms and such. Work continues until 17 (5 p.m.) when my protected sleep kicks in.”
Training for RIMPAC features 26 nations, 46 surface ships, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel, the training programs includes amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, antisubmarine and air defense exercises, as well as counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations.
“Being on a ship is like being in a factory that sways side-to-side. You see the same faces everyday, but you only really work with a handful,” said Smith who is a Navy hull maintenance technician, who is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the ship’s collection and holding tanks. “You have very limited contact with the outside so relationships are more here. We are family, and protect each other and help build each other up.”
“Last Thursday we did an R&A (rescue and assist) drill with a French ship, and nightly we do ‘war games.’ Sometimes we’re the enemy (and) sometimes we’re defenders. It’s exciting and a lot of fun. We currently have about eight Austrian Sailors onboard with us as well, learning how life is on an American ship and how our ships differ. Even though we’re in open water, we are still meeting other countries Navy. I’ve gotten to see the Coast Guard shoot some missiles, and I’ve stood topside next to the Captain as we shot the 5″ (referring to missile size) at ‘killer tomatoes’ (referring to mock enemies). This week we are wrapping up RIMPAC and it’s really amping up.”
When the clock strikes 3 p.m. Smith heads back to her ‘berthing’ (bed) to hit the books to study up on how she can enhance her rankings until 5 p.m. Another round of ‘horrible’ food for Smith in the cafeteria and then she hits the ‘berthing’ to wake up and do it all over again.
Swaying side-to-side is apart of everyday life in the middle of the north Pacific Ocean. Aboard the 300 member missile destroyer is more than just service members, it’s family.
“Everyday we work with people from all over the world and all different backgrounds. In my shop alone we have Texas, Illinois, California, Oklahoma, Virginia and a few others,” Smith said through email. “Throughout the ship we have people that join from other countries as well. So working with them is a day-to-day thing, and language barriers are things you learn to work around. We have visitors every couple of days from other ships so they can see how we respond to things and how we run drills. It’s a good way to learn how to better respond to things. I wouldn’t call it weird, more eye opening. It takes patience sometimes when you have trouble understanding each other, but you grow from it. The world is so much bigger than your hometown.”
As the sun sets across the Pacific Ocean and Smith lays her head down on her pillow she recollects the day that she lived in the small town of Pontiac.
“I’m stationed in Hawaii for the next five-years. The distance is hard, I miss my sisters. It’s a five-hour time difference so I have to make sure I get to them before they go to bed if I call. But they understand why I’m here and why I serve and they support me in my choice. You learn to make the most out of things and live day-by day,” added Smith.
“And I mean hey – its Hawaii.”
Blake Haas can be reached at Blake.Haas@cumulus.com.
