By
Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 2005 Denver High
School graduate and New Hampton, Iowa 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. Andrew Frey is a pilot serving with
Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11.
A Navy pilot is responsible for the safety
of the crew and flight aboard the P-8 A Poseidon and ensuring that the mission
is complete.
“My job is exciting because every day
there is something different,” said Frey. “I enjoy meeting the challenges that
my job provides.”
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. Frey 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. Frey on our
team!"
Frey
“I like the camaraderie at this
command,” said Frey. “The command environment is positive which allows us to
effectively perform to complete our mission.”
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 given me the opportunity
to be a leader,” added Frey. “I enjoy taking care of my sailors and shipmates.”