Coral Springs native stands bridge watch aboard USS Higgins

Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron 15 

      PHILIPPINE SEA — Seaman Steven Thomas (left) from Deer Park, New York and Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Recruit Ilerne Hilaire (right) from Coral Springs, Florida stand bridge watch aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) while operating in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 17. Higgins is forward deployed and assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th fleet’s principal surface force.