NORFOLK, Va. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Cayden Burr, a native of Spanish Fork, Utah, serves aboard USS Gerald R. Ford, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.
Burr graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Spanish Fork.
“My hometown taught me how to communicate,” said Burr. “Coming from a small town we are a tight-knit community. Everyone knows each other and that sort of environment encourages communication.”
Burr joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Burr serves as an aviation ordnanceman.
“I joined to make a better life for myself and continue a family tradition of service,” said Burr. “I am a third-generation sailor. My parents and grandfather were both in the Navy.”
The crew recently completed an eight-month deployment, which was the first deployment for the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier.
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was extended 76 days following the outbreak of conflict in Israel and operated in the Mediterranean Sea to deter further escalation and support Israel in its right to self-defense.
While in the Mediterranean, the carrier strike group participated in and supported numerous multinational exercises and vigilance activities to increase NATO capability and deter aggression in the region. The carrier visited ports in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Norway and Türkiye. Other ships in the strike group visited Belgium, Cyprus, Montenegro, Spain, and Sweden.
“The Gerald R. Ford is everything our nation hoped it would be, and more. I am so proud of the crew, who breathed life into the world’s most technologically advanced warship and stood the watch in defense of our national interests,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, Gerald R. Ford’s commanding officer. “Though extended, we were the right ship at the right time to answer the call, and our sailors performed admirably. Ford sailors honored our namesake’s legacies of hard work, integrity, and courage.”
In 239 days underway, the ship’s crew conducted 43 underway replenishments, logged more than 17,826 flight hours and 10,396 sorties, sailed more than 83,476 nautical miles, and safely transferred 20.7 million gallons of fuel with zero mishaps. The Ford crew conducted 33,444 flight deck moves, 3,124 hangar bay aircraft moves, 2,883 aircraft elevator moves, 16,351 aircraft fueling evolutions, and transferred 8,850 pallets of cargo and mail. The Gerald R. Ford culinary team prepared and served 3.1 million meals, which included approximately 48,000 dozen eggs, 24,000 gallons of milk, 131,000 hamburgers, 367,000 pounds of chicken, and Gerald R. Ford’s favorite, 79,000 chocolate chip cookies.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Burr serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
"We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day," said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. "Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs."
Burr has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is being able to see seven different countries,” said Burr. “I am also proud to have earned my Blue Nose Certificate which is awarded to sailors after crossing the Arctic Circle.”
Burr can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy instills the core values in me,” said Burr. “It also provides me with the opportunity to give back to a community that means the world to me.”
Burr is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, Bryan Burr,” added Burr. He used to hype the Navy up and encouraged me to make the decision to join. I would also like to thank my friends for supporting me and keeping in touch even though I am a couple thousand miles away from them.”
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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adriones Johnson, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Burr graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Spanish Fork.
“My hometown taught me how to communicate,” said Burr. “Coming from a small town we are a tight-knit community. Everyone knows each other and that sort of environment encourages communication.”
Burr joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Burr serves as an aviation ordnanceman.
“I joined to make a better life for myself and continue a family tradition of service,” said Burr. “I am a third-generation sailor. My parents and grandfather were both in the Navy.”
The crew recently completed an eight-month deployment, which was the first deployment for the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier.
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was extended 76 days following the outbreak of conflict in Israel and operated in the Mediterranean Sea to deter further escalation and support Israel in its right to self-defense.
While in the Mediterranean, the carrier strike group participated in and supported numerous multinational exercises and vigilance activities to increase NATO capability and deter aggression in the region. The carrier visited ports in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Norway and Türkiye. Other ships in the strike group visited Belgium, Cyprus, Montenegro, Spain, and Sweden.
“The Gerald R. Ford is everything our nation hoped it would be, and more. I am so proud of the crew, who breathed life into the world’s most technologically advanced warship and stood the watch in defense of our national interests,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, Gerald R. Ford’s commanding officer. “Though extended, we were the right ship at the right time to answer the call, and our sailors performed admirably. Ford sailors honored our namesake’s legacies of hard work, integrity, and courage.”
In 239 days underway, the ship’s crew conducted 43 underway replenishments, logged more than 17,826 flight hours and 10,396 sorties, sailed more than 83,476 nautical miles, and safely transferred 20.7 million gallons of fuel with zero mishaps. The Ford crew conducted 33,444 flight deck moves, 3,124 hangar bay aircraft moves, 2,883 aircraft elevator moves, 16,351 aircraft fueling evolutions, and transferred 8,850 pallets of cargo and mail. The Gerald R. Ford culinary team prepared and served 3.1 million meals, which included approximately 48,000 dozen eggs, 24,000 gallons of milk, 131,000 hamburgers, 367,000 pounds of chicken, and Gerald R. Ford’s favorite, 79,000 chocolate chip cookies.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Burr serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
"We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day," said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. "Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs."
Burr has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is being able to see seven different countries,” said Burr. “I am also proud to have earned my Blue Nose Certificate which is awarded to sailors after crossing the Arctic Circle.”
Burr can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy instills the core values in me,” said Burr. “It also provides me with the opportunity to give back to a community that means the world to me.”
Burr is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, Bryan Burr,” added Burr. He used to hype the Navy up and encouraged me to make the decision to join. I would also like to thank my friends for supporting me and keeping in touch even though I am a couple thousand miles away from them.”