Bethel Sailor Deployed on USS Portland, Now in Active Service

BETHEL, CT --- A 2008 graduate of Bethel High School is serving aboard the future USS Portland, an amphibious warship to be homeported in San Diego, the U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach is reporting. 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, the third Navy ship named to honor both the Oregon seaport and Maine’s largest city, was commissioned on April 21 in its Oregon namesake city. During a commissioning ceremony, the warship was officially placed into active service. The ceremony includes “bringing the ship to life” and other orders rooted in centuries-old naval tradition.

Portland is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship that embarks, transports, and lands 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.

Ducatel has carried lessons learned from Bethel 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.

Ducatel has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.

“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.”

Materials provided by U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach