PENSACOLA, FL. – A 2011 Palo Verde Magnet High graduate and Tucson, Arizona, native is serving at the Navy’s premier and largest aviation training center.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Chelsey Heenan works as an information systems technician and operates out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola.A Navy information systems technician is responsible for working with message traffic and emergency situation reports and managing other information systems.
Heenan says that growing up in Tucson prepared her for life in the Navy.
“One thing about where I am from is that everyone seems like they are family," said Heenan. "It's a big community with strong values. I have brought that to the Navy and feel like I can always help my shipmates and my Navy family out.”
NAS Pensacola, “The Cradle of Naval Aviation” is best known as the initial primary training base for all U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard officers pursuing designations as Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers.
It takes a lot of manpower to support and train pilots, but there is much more to this base that employs 16,000 military and 7,400 civilians. This includes major tenant commands: Naval Aviation Schools Command, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 and 23, the Blue Angels, and the headquarters for Naval Education Training Command (NETC), a command which combines direction and control of all Navy education and training.
As the premier naval installation in the Department of the Navy (DoN) NAS Pensacola provides base and operational support functions such as quality of life, administration, logistics, facilities, comptroller, management administration and operations (airfield, port, security, fire and search and rescue).
“I’m so proud of the entire team throughout our aviation enterprise,” said Capt. Christopher T. Martin, Commander Naval Air Station Pensacola. “The future of NAS Pensacola is bright, and we’re only going to continue to adapt and evolve as we prepare to efficiently deliver the very best readiness from the shore.”
“As sailors forged by the sea, we will continue to be the Navy the Nation Needs. One of the Chief of Naval Operation’s Lines of Effort is what we do best, strengthening our Navy team for the future,” said Martin.
Heenan has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My entire family is military—my dad and stepdad, my aunt, four of my uncles and my brother. My grandfathers also served," said Heenan. "But my brother and I are the first Navy; we’re starting something new with this generation.”
Heenan is also proud of serving as a command fitness leader at her last command and was the most junior one on the fitness team.
Pensacola stands up to the expectations and provides a perfect environment for the workers and their families. The citizens benefit from all the modern world advantages, from schools and hospitals to recreational areas, theaters, cinemas and multiple services.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Heenan and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I am very proud to serve in the military, obviously something that is a family tradition," Heenan added. "But it has given me tremendous opportunities to do things I could never have done as a civilian. Even when I feel like giving up there are so many people encouraging me to keep going.”