Photo By Thomas Kreidel | Machinist’s Mate First Class Hiram LugoSanchez repairs a washing machine onboard USS...... read more read more
Machinist’s Mate First Class Hiram LugoSanchez recently assisted USS Gettysburg (CG 64) with a short notice critical repair of their 60 pound washing machine, one of two machines onboard serving a crew of nearly 400.
LugoSanchez, an instructor with the NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Navy Food Management Team, traveled to Bahrain last month on three days’ notice. From there, he was flown to an aircraft carrier for helicopter transfer to Gettysburg while the ship was underway in support of U.S. Central Command combat operations.
“Within minutes of receiving the request for assistance requiring onboard technical assistance to resolve a CASREP onboard a ship deployed to the 5th fleet AOR, MM1 offered a solution, volunteered to deploy and coordinated the combined efforts of various commands,” said Deputy Director, NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Operations Department Tony Ting.
Director, Navy Food Management Team Chief Warrant Officer Five Aleithia Castro described LugoSanchez as “an amazing instructor and Sailor,” adding his next command, USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) has “struck gold.”
“It was amazing how NAVSUP FLC Norfolk, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, Navy Exchange Service Command, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Gettysburg, and the strike group and beach detachment teams worked so well together to get MM1 there to assist,” she added.
Once aboard Gettysburg, LugoSanchez quickly diagnosed the mechanical issues with the washing machine and trained the crew in the ship’s laundry how to diagnose and repair the washing machine in case of further breakdowns. Once the machine was repaired, the ship’s laundry crew was able to resume laundry operations for the ship’s crew.
He also left behind instructions, should the issue reoccur.
“I showed the supply officer and electrician's mate first class how to program the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) by using EOC software on a laptop provided by NEXCOM to assist in the repair and what they have to look for on the PLC as far as light indicators for proper operations,” he added.
LugoSanchez’s quick action and technical expertise improved readiness, self-sufficiency and quality of life aboard Gettysburg. He said the highlight of the trip for him came the day before he left for home.
“I saw a line of crew members with bags of laundry on the ready to get their clothes washed,” he said. “That made the trip even more worthwhile and put a smile on my face.”
LugoSanchez returned to Norfolk April 1 after his nine-day journey.
“His technical skills garnered BZs, but his humility ultimately earned him the most respect,” said Ting.
| Date Taken: | 04.03.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2025 13:37 |
| Story ID: | 494495 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 220 |
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US Central Command (USCENTCOM)
