Foster serving aboard the USS Pennsylvania

Seaman Apprentice Jimmy Foster, a submarine sonar technician from Pike County, is serving aboard the USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) Blue Crew in the Navy. It is one of the world’s most advanced submarines. The Navy’s ballistic missile submarines, referred to as ‘boomers,’ serve as launch platforms for intercontinental ballistic missiles. They are designed for stealth, extended patrols and precise delivery of missiles if directed by the president. The Ohio-class design allows the submarines to operate 15 or more years between major overhauls. On average, they spend 77 days at sea followed by 35 days in port for maintenance.