Operation Enduring Freedom Communications Support

During USS KEY WEST's 2001 Fifth Fleet deployment, Nathan served primarily as Radioman of the Watch while also carrying responsibilities as EHF technician, work center supervisor, and administrator for classified networks. His communications work supported combat operations, indications-and-warning missions, and Tomahawk strike activity during Operation Enduring Freedom.

During USS KEY WEST’s 2001 Fifth Fleet deployment and the opening period of Operation Enduring Freedom, secure communications and reliable information systems were essential to combat operations, indications-and-warning missions, and Tomahawk strike support.

Nathan had to sustain dependable, secure communications while carrying several connected responsibilities: Radioman of the Watch, EHF technician, work center supervisor, and administrator for classified networks. Each role affected the submarine’s ability to receive, protect, and act on mission information.

Nathan stood communications watches, maintained the EHF capability, supervised work-center responsibilities, and administered classified networks as part of one integrated operational effort. He applied technical discipline and security practices to keep mission information available to the crew.

Technical roles become operational leadership when the mission depends on their reliability. Readiness requires understanding how communications, systems, security, maintenance, and people work together rather than treating each responsibility as an isolated task.