By Mr. Dusty Good
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 2009 Lake Worth Community High School graduate and West Palm Beach, Florida, native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Assault Craft Unit FOUR (ACU 4), one of the Navy’s most advanced amphibious warfare units.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Vaeloni Parrish is a operations specialist with the group operating out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A Navy operations specialist is responsible for navigating and protecting the ship from hostile contacts.
“My job has a lot of different aspects of it,” said Parrish. "You can go from surface to the air side of the Navy and see different parts of the fleet."
Parrish credits her success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in her hometown of West Palm Beach.
“My hometown taught me the importance of diversity and working with others,” said Parrish. "The Navy is a diverse organization so that has helped me throughout my career."
ACU 4 is one of the components of Naval Beach Group TWO (NBG 2).
Commissioned in 1948, just after World War II, NBG 2 trains and equips military forces for deployment overseas. Sailors with NBG 2 serve a vital role in the Navy our nation needs by ensuring that amphibious operations remain ready to defend and protect America at all times.
ACU 4 operates landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) vehicles, which are specialized to transport personnel and equipment from surface ships to shore. The LCAC is a high-speed, over-the-beach craft capable of carrying a payload of more than 60 tons. The LCAC can be used to transport weapons systems, cargo and personnel of Marine assault units. Air cushion technology allows the vehicle to reach more than 70 percent of the world’s coastline, while only 15 percent of that coastline is accessible by conventional landing craft, according to Navy officials.
The exercises and real-world operations that ACU 4 sailors participate in include evacuation of American citizens from a hostile territory, delivery of food and medical supplies after a natural disaster, and many other tasks that involve movement from ships off-shore to the beach, according to Navy officials.
“This command has a lot of opportunities,” said Parrish. "It has allowed me to venture outside of my job and learn much more as a Sailor."
Jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the command running smoothly, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from operating boats to maintaining engines.
"ACU 4 sailors and craft are the connector and where the rubber meets the sand between the Amphibious Ready Group and the fight,” said Capt. Erik Nilsson, ACU 4’s commanding officer. “The maintenance team is dedicated to ensuring the craft are ready at a moment's notice to engage in missions from high-end combat to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Parrish is most proud of earning three warfare qualifications.
“It was very challenging and allowed me to push myself,” said Parrish. "I felt like two warfare pins are more common so I wanted something more."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Parrish said she has found many great rewards in her service.
“The Navy has taught me the importance of knowledge and given me self worth,” said Parrish. "I've built families and friends and it means a lot to give back."
A Navy operations specialist is responsible for navigating and protecting the ship from hostile contacts.
“My job has a lot of different aspects of it,” said Parrish. "You can go from surface to the air side of the Navy and see different parts of the fleet."
Parrish credits her success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in her hometown of West Palm Beach.
“My hometown taught me the importance of diversity and working with others,” said Parrish. "The Navy is a diverse organization so that has helped me throughout my career."
ACU 4 is one of the components of Naval Beach Group TWO (NBG 2).
Commissioned in 1948, just after World War II, NBG 2 trains and equips military forces for deployment overseas. Sailors with NBG 2 serve a vital role in the Navy our nation needs by ensuring that amphibious operations remain ready to defend and protect America at all times.
ACU 4 operates landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) vehicles, which are specialized to transport personnel and equipment from surface ships to shore. The LCAC is a high-speed, over-the-beach craft capable of carrying a payload of more than 60 tons. The LCAC can be used to transport weapons systems, cargo and personnel of Marine assault units. Air cushion technology allows the vehicle to reach more than 70 percent of the world’s coastline, while only 15 percent of that coastline is accessible by conventional landing craft, according to Navy officials.
The exercises and real-world operations that ACU 4 sailors participate in include evacuation of American citizens from a hostile territory, delivery of food and medical supplies after a natural disaster, and many other tasks that involve movement from ships off-shore to the beach, according to Navy officials.
“This command has a lot of opportunities,” said Parrish. "It has allowed me to venture outside of my job and learn much more as a Sailor."
Jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the command running smoothly, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from operating boats to maintaining engines.
"ACU 4 sailors and craft are the connector and where the rubber meets the sand between the Amphibious Ready Group and the fight,” said Capt. Erik Nilsson, ACU 4’s commanding officer. “The maintenance team is dedicated to ensuring the craft are ready at a moment's notice to engage in missions from high-end combat to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Parrish is most proud of earning three warfare qualifications.
“It was very challenging and allowed me to push myself,” said Parrish. "I felt like two warfare pins are more common so I wanted something more."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Parrish said she has found many great rewards in her service.
“The Navy has taught me the importance of knowledge and given me self worth,” said Parrish. "I've built families and friends and it means a lot to give back."