China Grove, N.C. Native Keeps Navy Wing Flying

 By Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 2010 South Rowan High School graduate and China Grove, North Carolina 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 3^rd Class Bryson Shehan is an aviation machinist’s mate serving with Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11.

As an aviation machinist’s mate, Shehan is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the command's aircraft engines.

“I enjoy the fast-pace aspect of my job and the camaraderie I share with my fellow sailors,” said Shehan.

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 Shehan 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 Shehan on our team!"

Shehan is part of a crew that is transitioning to the P-8A Poseidon and preparing for deployment in the future.

“I really enjoy working at this command because there is great teamwork with the fellow squadrons here on base and the leadership within my chain of command is exemplary,” said Shehan.

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.

“Since serving in the Navy, the teamwork I’ve learned has made me a better overall person which has helped shaped me into the man that I am today,” added Shehan.