Top Tweets for #FrontlineForward

During my time in the Navy, I had the privilege of serving on the USS Boxer LHD-4 as part of the crash and salvage team during the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips in April 2009. I was a young sailor back then, working with an amazing crew in the tense days following the pirate attack on the Maersk Alabama off the coast of Somalia. Captain Phillips was being held hostage in a lifeboat—the very one we’re posing with in this photo. As part of the crash and salvage team, my job was to ensure our equipment and aircraft were ready for any emergency. I worked on the flight deck, prepping gear and standing by to support the operation, whether that meant assisting with recovery efforts or handling any unexpected situations. The days were long, and the stakes were high, and we all knew a man’s life was on the line. When the SEALs from the USS Bainbridge executed the rescue, taking out the pirates and safely recovering Captain Phillips, the whole ship felt a wave of relief and pride. I’m truly humbled to have been part of that mission, working alongside such a skilled and dedicated crew. My role was just a small piece of the puzzle, but being there to support the effort that brought Captain Phillips back to his family is something I’ll never forget. It taught me the true meaning of teamwork and service.