Long Beach, Calif. Native Keeps Navy Wing Flying

 By Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 2011 Fredericton High School graduate in Fredericton, Canada and Long Beach, California 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 Andrew Martinez is a naval air crewman serving with Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11.

As a naval air crewman, Martinez is responsible for radar operations and aircraft safety during flight operations.

“What I enjoy most about my job is working together with my fellow crewmembers,” said Martinez. “You can't complete missions without teamwork.”

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 Martinez 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 Martinez on our team!"

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

“I love the camaraderie I have amongst my fellow sailors here at this command,” said Martinez.

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, I've learned teamwork, discipline and most importantly, the morals and values instilled in me has definitely made me a better overall person,” added Martinez.