A 2008 graduate of Bethel High School graduate and Bethel, Connecticut, native is serving aboard the future USS Portland, an amphibious warship to be homeported in San Diego.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Junior H. Ducatel is an interior communications electrician responsible for communication throughout the ship.
“What I like most about my job is troubleshooting equipment throughout the ship,” said Ducatel. “Especially during crucial moments.”
Portland is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship that embarks, transports, and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions. These ships provide the Navy and Marine Corps with modern sea-based platforms.
Amphibious transport dock ships support amphibious assault; special operations or expeditionary warfare missions, and can serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious ready groups. Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice as well.
Ducatel has carried lessons learned from his hometown into his military service.
“My time playing football in my hometown taught me the most,” said Ducatel. “I had an extremely passionate coach who took our training very seriously. I like to live my life with the same type of passion, especially when it comes to being part of a team.”
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard Portland. More than 400 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 700 Marines can be embarked. Portland is capable of transporting the Marines and landing them where they are needed via helicopters, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and landing craft.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is training to take possession of this brand new ship and protect it,” said Ducatel. “Aside from my job, I like having the greater purpose of protecting this U.S. Navy vessel.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s high-tech amphibious assault ships, Ducatel and other Portland sailors are proud to part of a warfighting team.
“Serving in the Navy has allowed me to be a part of something bigger than myself,” said Ducatel. “I simply hope to do my part and serve my country as best I can and hopefully make my family proud.”
Portland, the third Navy ship named to honor both the Oregon seaport and Maine’s largest city, will be commissioned on April 21 in its Oregon namesake city. During a commissioning ceremony, the warship will be officially placed into active service. The ceremony includes “bringing the ship to life” and other orders rooted in centuries-old naval tradition.
For information about the commissioning, visit ussportlandlpd27.org.