SAN DIEGO — A 2013 Edwardsburg High School graduate is playing a key role in supporting the newest and largest amphibious warship in the Navy.

Petty Officer 3rd Class David Kiefer, is an operations specialist serving aboard USS America (LHA 6), based in San Diego, California. America is the fourth warship to be named for the United States.

As an operations specialist, Kiefer is responsible for being a radar operator and to identify classified friendly and enemy aircraft and vessels.

“My job is very unique because I get to know where exactly you are in the world,” Kiefer said. “I prepare navigation as an alternate for the ship movements and I communicate with other aircraft, it’s a privilege to have this type of job at my age.”

America is equipped with a fuel-efficient hybrid electric propulsion system, which is an energy initiative designed to increase range, endurance and longer deployments enhancing America’s combat capability. It is 844 feet long and 106 feet wide and weighs nearly 45,000 tons, with two gas turbine engines that push the ship through water at more than 22 knots.

Her mission is to support a wide spectrum of military operations and missions, including putting Marines ashore for combat operations, launching air strikes, keeping sea lanes free and open for the movement of global commerce, and delivering humanitarian aid following a disaster like the typhoon that devastated the Philippines in 2013.

As a member of the U.S. Navy’s finest warships, Kiefer said he and other Sailors are proud to be part of most capable amphibious force in the world

“Serving on America, makes me feel patriotic and to serve on the only ship named after our country, it’s an honor to be an ambassador representing my nation,” Kiefer said.

Sailors’ jobs are highly varied on America, according to Navy officials. Their job includes keeping all parts of the ship running smoothly–this includes everything from maintaining aircrafts and engines, processing paperwork, to handling weapons, and flying the aircraft.

Serving in the Navy, Kiefer is learning about being a more responsible leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.

“It gives you a sense of leadership and it gives you a kick-start to learn a trade that will help me have a smooth transition into the civilian world,” Kiefer said.