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Petty Officer Taylor Coers serves aboard USS Harry S. Truman

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[June 30, 2014]  NORFOLK, Va. – A Illini Central High School and Lincoln College graduate of Mason City, with strong ties to Logan County, is serving on one of the world’s largest warships, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. (CVN 75).

As a young sailor with numerous responsibilities, Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor Coers is an engineman is stationed on aboard the Norfolk-based ship, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and one of only ten operational aircraft carriers in the Navy today. Named in honor of former President Harry Truman, the carrier is longer than 3 football fields, at nearly 1,100 feet long. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. Two nuclear reactors push the ship through the water at more than 30 mph.

As the first female in her family to be in the US Navy, she took her inspiration from her godfather/uncle that was in the Navy. She added that it is an exciting time to be in the Navy, and serving aboard a ship. She never expected to be doing so much within a couple of years ago. “I’ve developed my confidence,” said Parker. “I accomplished various things within my first year including my first nine month deployment and earning my warfare qualification.”
 


She also said she is proud of the work as part of the Truman’s 5,500-member crew, protecting America on the world’s oceans. “Although work on the USS Truman has been challenging, the ship is also like a second family,” Coers explained. “This is not a man’s job. A woman can do much as a man can do.”

Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard USS Harry S. Truman. Approximately 3,000 men and women make up the ship’s company, which keeps all parts of the aircraft carrier running smoothly — this includes everything from washing dishes and preparing meals to handling weaponry and maintaining the nuclear reactors. Another 2,500 or so form the air wing, the people who actually fly and maintain the aircraft.

“I never cease to be impressed with the type and quality of work that goes on aboard Truman each day,” said Capt. S. Robert Roth, the carrier’s commanding officer. “Our team is filled with highly qualified young adults – in many cases, 19 and 20 years old – and they’re out here running a complex propulsion system safely, serving as air traffic controllers, operating sophisticated electronics, launching and recovering aircraft when we’re underway, and keeping this floating city alive and functioning. I can’t express how proud I am to be a part of this team. They performed at the highest level, day in and day out during our recent 9-month combat deployment and are continuing to do so here at home. Their professionalism, dedication and commitment to excellence are second to none.”

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USS Harry S. Truman, like each of the Navy’s aircraft carriers, is designed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 60 attack jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea. Powerful catapults slingshot the aircraft off the bow of the ship. The planes land aboard the carrier by snagging a steel cable with an arresting hook that protrudes from the rear of the aircraft. All of this makes the Harry S. Truman a self-contained mobile airport and strike platform, and often the first response to a global crisis because of a carrier’s ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Coers and other USS Harry S. Truman sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.

“My job has been rewarding and exciting for my first nine month cruise and make various accomplishments and seeing exciting countries,” said Coers. “I plan to make Petty Officer 1st Class and I hope to teach education in South Illinois.”

[Text received; NAVY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH]

"Why Being There Matters"
On our planet, more than 70 percent of which is covered by water, being there means having the ability to act from the sea. The Navy is uniquely positioned to be there; the world's oceans give the Navy the power to protect America's interests anywhere, and at any time. Your Navy protects and defends America on the world's oceans. Navy ships, submarines, aircraft and, most importantly, tens of thousands of America's finest young men and women are deployed around the world doing just that. They are there now. They will be there when we are sleeping tonight. They will be there every Saturday, Sunday and holiday this year. They are there around the clock, far from our shores, defending America at all times.

Thank you very much for your support of the men and women in U.S. Navy, deployed around the clock and ready to protect and defend America on the world's oceans.

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