Anchors aweigh for area sailor
Hartwell, Georgia native Willie Keese is serving aboard the USS John S. McCain, living and work at a Navy base in Japan. Only 20 years old, seaman apprentice Keese finds himself with lots of responsibilities, but he considers it a great experience and has told the Navy he plans to make his service a career. Assigned to the Navy’s 7th Fleet and Destroyer Squadron 15, McCain sailors are continuous watch through out the Ind-Pacific region. The destroyer is 505 feet long and carries a crew of 300. We’ve learned also this morning that among the 300-member crew is Christopher Smith of Westminster. Smith is an officer on the USS McCain and is due to complete a three-year deployment in November and return home.