A Cadiz native is serving aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS The Sullivans.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Aaron Cox, a native of Cadiz and a 2014 graduate of Trigg County High School, serves in the U.S. Navy and works on the ship’s mechanical systems as a machinist’s mate responsible for working in auxiliaries, which includes refrigeration systems, air conditioning, and hydraulics.
The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers is a Navy class of destroyer built around the Aegis Combat System. They were designed as multi-mission destroyers and utilize Tomahawk missiles and anti-aircraft warfare with Aegis radar to carry out their missions.
The Sullivans is currently undergoing a routine maintenance period after completing a seven-month global deployment where they participated in multinational operations and joint training exercises.
According to Navy officials, The Sullivans is named to honor five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, who served together on the USS Juneau during World War II. The Sullivan brothers ranged in age from 20 to 27 and lost their lives during the Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942. They were adamant about serving together in spite of the Navy’s wartime policy to separate family members. This was the greatest military loss by any one American family during World War II.
Members of al-Qaeda attempted an attack on The Sullivans while it was in port in Yemen in January 2000. The terrorist mission failed when the boat of explosives sank. However, a second attack was successful in October of that year and resulted in the bombing of the USS Cole.
