By
Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 2004 Mount
Markham High School graduate and West Winfield, New York 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 2nd Class Thomas Braman is a naval air crewman serving with Commander, Patrol and
Reconnaissance Wing 11.
A naval air crewman is responsible for tracking submarines using underwater microphones.
“I detect, track and classify submarines," said Braman. "We also conduct other missions like search and rescue. The best part of the job is traveling. I have been places I never thought
I would visit. I also enjoy flying."
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 Braman 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 Braman on our
team!"
Braman is part of a crew that is transitioning to the P-8A Poseidon and preparing for deployment in the future.
“Being a part of this command is great
because of the people," said Braman. "I get along with
everyone and the location is not bad either."
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 sharpened my leadership
abilities to help other sailors achieve their goals,” said Braman.