By
Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 2004 South
Central High School graduate and Kinmundy,
Illinois 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.
Lt. j.g. Nick Jones is a pilot
serving with Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11.
As a pilot,
Jones is responsible for all flight related
aspects of the P-8A aircraft, which involves everything from navigation,
weather avoidance and the overall safety of the aircraft and crew.
“Flying
has been an interest for me since a small child and I've achieved that dream by
serving in the Navy,” said Jones. “I get to fly all over the world and see
different cultures and landmarks.”
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. “Lt. j.g.
Jones 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 Lt.
j.g. Jones on our team!"
Jones
is part of a crew that began a transition to the P-8A Poseidon and is preparing for a deployment the future.
“I enjoy serving at this command
because I am constantly learning all of the
different mission types and the expertise needed to effectively fly aircraft to
complete various command missions and operations,” said Jones.
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 provides you the necessary resources to stay committed and determined in
reaching your future goals both personally and professionally,” said Jones.
“You also learn teamwork and cohesiveness with
your fellow shipmates which is needed in order to complete command missions.”