By
Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 2008 Blaine High
School graduate and Blaine, Minnesota native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard
Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the largest base in the Southeast Region and
third largest in the nation.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Hull is a naval
air crewman (operator) serving with Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing
11.
A naval air crewman is
responsible for operating radars on the P-8 to assist the pilot in the safety of
flight.
“My job allows me to have a view that
is remarkable when I'm flying 30,000 feet in the air,” said Hull.
According to Navy officials, Wing 11’s history and
reputation remain unparalleled since being commissioned on August 15, 1942.
Throughout the decades, Wing 11 has continued to fly combat missions in direct support of
the troops on the ground and delivered
traditional maritime capabilities, real-time intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance.
Beginning in the
1960s, the P-3C Orion, a land-based, long-range anti-submarine warfare patrol
aircraft, replaced the P-2V Neptune fleet. After 50 years of faithful
service and the 50th anniversary of Maritime Patrol and
Reconnaissance Force, the P-3C Orion is being phased out of the fleet,
according to Navy officials.
The P-8A is a modified Boeing airframe
featuring a fully connected, state-of-the-art, open architecture mission system
designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, Navy officials
explained.
"The U.S. Navy sometimes asks the
impossible of our people. It is sailors that make the impossible possible,”
said Capt. Anthony Corapi, Commodore, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11. “Petty Officer 2nd Class Hull is one example
of a selfless servant of our nation.
These heroes ask for very little recognition and perform their daily job
with pride and professionalism defending freedom and our way of life around the
world. Each member of the Navy's combat
team is crucial to our success. I am very proud to have Petty Officer 2nd Class
Hull on our team!"
Hull
“This command has great camaraderie,”
said Hull. “It makes the work here enjoyable by working with a great group of
people.”
According to Navy officials, the Navy
continues to meet milestone after milestone on this world-class mission and is
providing an aircraft with superior capabilities to the men and women in
uniform that will have a lasting legacy promoting a global maritime strategy.
“The Navy has taught me
responsibility,” added Hull. “I have learned how to balance my job and personal
life, as well as being able to lead and strive for greatness.”