By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Wyscaver, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown
SILVERDALE, Wash. – A 2003 Leland Gray High School graduate and Jamaica, Vermont native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Commander, Submarine Group 9.
Lt. Aaron Stomski, an intelligence officer, serves at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington, not far from Seattle.
As an intelligence officer, Stomski is responsible for keeping the admiral informed of adversary operations and intentions that may affect the safety and security of missions.
“I enjoy working with the submariners and keeping leadership informed on current events that may strategically impact international relations,” Stomski said.
Stomski draws from lessons learned growing up in Jamaica.
“Growing up, I was taught the importance of service to the community and the service before self mentality,” Stomski said.
Subordinate to Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Submarine Group 9 exercises administrative command and control authority for assigned Ohio-class ballistic and guided missile submarines and subordinate commands and units in the Pacific Northwest.
Guided-missile submarines provide unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities
from a stealthy platform. Armed with tactical missiles and equipped with superior communications
capabilities, the submarine performs its mission with a much lower level of risk than what would
normally be experienced when deploying this level of capability from surface or air platforms.
Guided-missile submarines provide unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities
from a stealthy platform. Armed with tactical missiles and equipped with superior communications
capabilities, the submarine performs its mission with a much lower level of risk than what would
normally be experienced when deploying this level of capability from surface or air platforms.
"The men and women from across our nation who volunteer for military service embody the fundamental values of honor, courage and sacrifice that are the bedrock of our republic," said Rear Adm. Blake Converse, Commander, Submarine Group Nine. "They protect and defend America from above, below, and across the world's oceans. The entire nation should be extremely proud of the hard work that these sailors do every single day to support the critical mission of the Navy and the submarine force."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Stomski and other sailors know they are part of a legacy, one that will prove a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving means being willing to head into harm’s way to ensure the safety and security of those back home,” Stomski said.