Hometown Military News 4/20/2020

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April14, 2020) Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Sage Kerrin, from Voorhees, New Jersey, sorts parts for an EA-18G Growler, assigned to the “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137, in the hangar bay  of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Atlantic Ocean April14, 2020. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) remains at sea in the Atlantic as a certified carrier strike group force ready for tasking in order to protect the crew from the risks posed by COVID-19, following their successful deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. Keeping HSTCSG at sea in U.S. 2nd Fleet, in the sustainment phase of OFRP, allows the ship to maintain a high level of readiness during the global COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Courtney Strahan)

Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Angel Gonzalez is recognized as ‘Sailor in the Spotlight’ while serving aboard USS Omaha, homeported in San Diego.  Gonzalez is a 2014 Timber Creek High School graduate and native of Sicklerville, New Jersey. He is most proud of saving an anchor from paying out and allowing the ship to continue its mission.

"I serve due to my devout patriotism,” said Gonzalez. "I was raised having great patriotism for the country and enjoy providing for the country every day."

For Full Story: http://navyoutreach.blogspot.com/2020/03/cherry-hill-native-selects-to-serve.html

MILLINGTON, Tennessee – Navy Midshipman Delaney E. McQuade from, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, participated in the 2020 spring Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) ship selection draft as a future member of the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) community.

More than 270 midshipmen from NROTC units around the country chose to serve as surface warfare officers. Each selecting midshipmen are ranked according to their grade point average, aptitude scores and physical fitness.

“NROTC has taught me how to become a moral, ethical leader who has the technical understanding of becoming a warfighter,” said McQuade. “I have had the opportunity to learn as a leader and learn from other leaders as well.”

For Full Story: http://navyoutreach.blogspot.com/2020/03/washington-township-native-serves-at-us.html

CHINA LAKE, Calif. – Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Hammond, a native of Washington Township, New Jersey, plays a key role in supporting the Navy's research, testing and evaluation of cutting-edge weapons systems for today’s sailors.

Hammond is a mass communication specialist serving at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, known as “Secret City.”

“A vast weapons testing and training range operated by the U.S. Navy in California's Mojave Desert, this location is where military and civilian personnel developed or tested nearly every significant airborne weapon system since 1943,” said NAWS China Lake public affairs officer, Margo Allen.

Link: https://navyoutreach.blogspot.com/2020/02/wenonah-nj-native-selected-to-serve.html

By MC3 Joshua Samoluk, USS Constitution Public Affairs

BOSTON -- Wenonah, N.J. native, Navy Lt. Christina Carson, checked aboard USS Constitution to serve as the operations officer, Jan. 13.

Carson is the second woman to serve aboard as a commissioned officer in the ship’s history.

“I’m excited to learn about the long heritage of USS Constitution and to be part of the history of the oldest commissioned warship afloat,” said Carson.

Carson has served in the Navy for six years, and her previous assignments include the Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn. and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66).

Carson is a 2008 graduate of Gateway Regional High School.

USS Constitution, is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.

USS Constitution remains undefeated in battle at sea, defeating her opponents in 33 combat engagements.

President George Washington named the ship after the document that defines our nation.

Today, the Sailors stationed aboard provide free tours and visitation as the ship serves to promote the Navy’s history, maritime heritage, and supports educational outreach focused on raising awareness on the importance of a sustained naval presence to more than 600,000 visitors each year.

For Full Story: http://navyoutreach.blogspot.com/2020/02/deptford-native-serves-with-first-and.html

SAN DIEGO – As a member of the oldest Maritime Strike Squadron, Lt. Mike Hayes is part of a Naval legacy. Hayes is a pilot responsible for flying helicopters and is a part of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, which supports the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis.

“We have to be ready for whatever threats there may be in the world,” said Hayes "We look for submarines and surface ships. We also train for search and rescue missions."

Hayes is a 2011 Deptford High School graduate and native of Deptford, New Jersey. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2015 with a degree in chemistry.

NEW CASTLE, Del. (Feb. 4, 2020) Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Jonnisha Milledge, from Cherry Hill, N.J., assigned to Navy Talent Acquisition Group Philadelphia, discusses hypothetical command qualities as part of a training exercise during an Intermediate Leader Development Course (ILDC) held at Navy Operational Support Center Newcastle, Delaware.

ILDC is part of the Enlisted Leader Development courses for E-3 to E-6 Sailors that is designed to replace the Navy’s current petty officer selectee leadership courses, with the new material focusing on character, ethics, self-awareness, navigating stress, decision-making and what it means to be part of the profession of arms.