The commander of the USS New York is Binghamton-native Curtis Jones.
Jones is a graduate of Chenango Valley High School.
He joined the Navy ROTC while in college.
The USS New York is his first command.
Jones will oversee a crew of 360 sailors transporting 700 marines to war zones and humanitarian missions.
Commander Curtis Jones says, "Everyone of us are fully aware of the steel that is built into the bow of the ship. It really does motivate us and helps us take that extra step everyday to be the best that we can be."
Jones no longer has family in the area.
He says that now that he spends most of his time in warmer climates, he misses the 4 seasons of Upstate New York.
