Thursday, May 29, 2025

Scotts Valley native serves with the next generation of U.S. Naval Aviation Warfighters

By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Ensign Heather Patterson, a native of Scotts Valley, California, is serving in the U.S. Navy amongst sailors, Marines and guardsmen at Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) who are developing the skills needed to be a combat-ready aviation professional.
Photo by Ensign Tiffany Savoie,
Navy Office of Community Outreach


Patterson is a 2020 graduate of Scotts Valley High School.

Patterson joined the Navy eight months ago. Today, Patterson is a student at NASC.

“Both of my parents served in the Navy,” Patterson said. "My dad flew P-3s and my mom was an air traffic controller."

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Scotts Valley.

“I grew up in a small town, so learning to work closely with others made a big difference,” Patterson said.

Located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, NASC provides an educational foundation in technical training, character development and professional leadership to prepare Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and partner nation officers and enlisted students to be combat quality aviation professionals, and deliver them at the right time, in the right numbers, to be the forces their nation needs.

NASC is comprised of four schoolhouses: Aviation Training School (ATS), Aviation Enlisted Aircrew Training (AEATS), Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) and Aviation Water Survival School (AWS), with instructor cadres that provide a well-rounded curriculum of academics and physical training on topics such as aviation training, aircrew duties and assignments, survival, first aid and water rescue procedures, that produce the highest quality officer and enlisted aviation personnel for the U. S. military.

The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”

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.

Patterson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.

Patterson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I'm proud of passing the water survival school,” Patterson said.

Patterson can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy is a bigger mission than myself,” Patterson said. "This gives me the opportunity to serve others, and I get a sense of accomplishment."

Patterson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my brothers, Brandon and Austin, for leading the way for me,” Patterson added. "They both set the bar really high. I also want to thank my friend, Ella DeBord, for always being there for me. She inspired me to reach for my dreams."