Orange Park, Florida, Native Serves Aboard USS Charleston

by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Breeden

19 October 2021 SULU SEA -- An Orange Park, Fla., native and 2003 Oakleaf High School/2017 University of Florida Graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the deployed Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18).

Lt. Iman Amaya, a surface warfare officer, joined the Navy in 2017, and has been assigned to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) since 2020.

“I joined the Navy to travel, make a difference, and earn a unique experience,” said Amaya. “The invaluable experience I have gained from my time thus far will continue to excel both in the Navy as well as in the civilian sector, depending on where I choose to take my career in the future.”

As a surface warfare officer, Amaya’s primary duties focus on the operation of Navy ships at sea and the management of various shipboard systems. While serving as underway officer of the deck, he ensures the safe handling of equipment and has the responsibility of keeping the crew safe during the various operations at sea.

Charleston is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The crew size for this platform is approximately 100 personnel.

“The best thing about Charleston is being able to actually drive the ship. It has a unique layout compared to most traditional ships and there’s a fun challenge that makes every day different,” said Amaya. “There’s a diverse group of Sailors aboard and the majority of them are Senior Sailors. The wealth of knowledge they have makes the job a lot easier.”

Amaya previously served aboard Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), and compared his experience aboard his current command, Charleston.

“Coming from an ‘amphib,’ I love the close-knit family atmosphere Charleston has to offer. Littoral combat ships have fewer officers, Chiefs, Sailors, and it forces you to find unique solutions to unique problems,” said Amaya. “A tight crew translates to a shared success and it’s a common trait we all get to enjoy together, because we’re a team.”

Amaya has learned a lot and is eternally grateful for being able to serve in the United States Navy.

“Coming into the Navy with an open mind has allowed me to embrace inputs and ideas from all members of the crew, from the most junior Sailors to the most senior officers,” said Amaya. “We all come from different backgrounds and have difference experiences that led us to serve. My Chief Gunner’s Mate taught me the phrase ‘each one, teach one,’ meaning don’t be selfish and to pass on knowledge because we’re all a team.”

Attached to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, Charleston is on a rotational deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the region, and to work alongside allied and partner navies to provide maritime security and stability, key pillars of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

As the U.S. Navy’s destroyer squadron forward-deployed in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore, functions as Expeditionary Strike Group 7’s Sea Combat Commander, and builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements.