By
Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 2009 Saint Rita
of Cascia High School graduate and Palos
Heights, 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. Brian Allen is naval flight officer serving with Commander,
Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11.
As a naval
flight officer, Allen is responsible for working
in the back of the P8-A Poseidon doing tactical communications and navigation
in support of anti-submarine warfare and reconnaissance missions.
“What I enjoy most about my job is getting to work with and lead a great crew," said Allen. "Also, having
the opportunity to travel and see the world while challenging myself to the
best of my abilities."
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.
Allen 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. Allen on our team!"
Allen
is part of a crew that began a transition to the P-8A Poseidon in 2014. Earlier
this year, squadron VP-45 entered the Inter-Deployment Readiness Cycle in
preparation for their first deployment as a P-8A squadron.
“At this command we are the best of the best, there is excellent camaraderie amongst each other and strong leadership support,” said Allen.
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.
“Serving
in the Navy has taught me teamwork, a strong work ethic and leadership skills
which will greatly benefit me both professionally and personally,” said
Allen.