By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. - A Layton, Utah, native is serving with United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA) supporting Exercise Cutlass Express 2022 in Mombasa, Kenya.
Petty Officer 1st Class Hunter Johnson joined the Navy for opportunites to excel in life.
"I joined the Navy because I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up," said Johnson. "The Navy presented an opporutnity to grow and eventually figure out what I wanted, but while trying to figure that out, the Navy ended up being exactly what I wanted."
Growing up, Johnson attended Northridge High School and graduated in 2013. Since joining the Navy, Johnson has taken the skills learned from education and those learned in the military to become the sailor he is today.
"I learned to take care of people and being a good leader," said Johnson.
Johnson serves as a Navy master-at-arms with CNE-CNA.
"What I enjoy most is the random opportunties that are presented to me, like being able to support Cutlass Express in Kenya," said Johnson. "It's amazing!"
According to Navy officials, maritime forces from East Africa, West Indian Ocean nations, Europe, North America, and several international organizations began the multinational maritime Exercise Cutlass Express 2022 with an opening ceremony held at the Coast Guard Training Center in Djibouti, Feb. 6, 2022.
The exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by CNE-CNA/U.S. Sixth Fleet, assesses and improves combined maritime law enforcement capacity, promotes national and regional security in East Africa, and increases interoperability between the U.S., African nations and international partners.
Exercise Cutlass Express 2022 will be linked with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's International Maritime Exercise, eliminating regional seams and increasing U.S. global capabilities and interoperability.
This year’s exercise leverages the recently adopted Jeddah Amendment to the Djibouti Code of Conduct, which 14 nations are signatories, as a framework for exercising information sharing practices and enforcing marine rule of law. The participating nations will be testing their ability to detect or disrupt illicit trafficking, piracy, illegal fishing, as well as search and rescue situations.
Serving in the Navy means Johnson is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
"National defense means training and working alongside other countires in order to better sustain their defenses, and build important relations with those countries," said Johnson.
Though there are many opportunities for sailors to achieve accomplishments during their military service, Johnson is most proud of being named Pacific Fleet Junior Sailor of the Year in 2021.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Johnson, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
"Serving in the Navy means being able to step up and do whenever my name is called, and lead in any position that I'm needed," said Johnson.
"As proud as I am of being a sailor, I'm also just as proud to be a father to my four-year-old son, Lincoln," added Johnson.