A Tully native is serving aboard USS New Mexico, one of the world’s most-advanced nuclear-powered submarines.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Aaron Wintermute joined the Navy three years ago. Today, he serves as an electronics technician navigation. Those working in this position are responsible for maintaining all electronic equipment used in navigating and piloting submarines.

“I joined the Navy after realizing that college wasn’t for me,” said Wintermute. “My dad served in the military and told me about the technical training I could get from joining. The Navy beat out other branches for technical training and I love the water.”

Growing up in Tully, Wintermute attended Tully Jr. Sr. High School and graduated in 2014. Today, Wintermute relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Tully to succeed in the military.

“Back home, I played baseball throughout high school and college,” said Wintermute. “Being able to work with a group of guys really helped me when I joined and realized the Navy is one giant team.”

These lessons have helped Wintermute while serving in the Navy.

Known as America’s “Apex Predators!,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.

The Navy has three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN), and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).

Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class SSN is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet combatant commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition.

The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols, and the precise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class SSBN will be the largest, most capable, and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S. That replaces the current Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.

Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special-operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.

Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Wintermute is part of a rich 122-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.

Serving in the Navy means Wintermute is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances, and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy is important to national security because with our submarines, our adversaries have no idea where we are; we keep them on their toes,” said Wintermute. “And they can’t get away with anything without us knowing.”

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through underwater fiber optic, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

Wintermute and the sailors he serves with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military careers.

“I received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for a huge corrective maintenance job that took my division over a month to fix,” said Wintermute. “Because we were able to fix it, we could get underway. It was very rewarding to be recognized and to see the hard work that was put in and seeing it work properly.”

As Wintermute and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the Navy.

“To me, serving in the Navy means carrying on a tradition,” he said. “My cousin is serving, my grandpa served, my uncle was a submarine guy, so it’s definitely in my family. Serving has made our bond stronger.”