Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
NORFOLK, Va. – A 1995 Whitehall High School graduate and Muskegon, Michigan, native is serving with a U.S. Navy team that flies one of the Navy’s most advanced aircraft, one with an important mission: keeping watch over the skies and oceans of the world.
Cmdr. Joe Brogren is an officer serving with E-2D Fleet Introduction Team, which operates out of Norfolk, Virginia. As a Navy officer, Brogren is responsible for manning, training, and equipping the aircraft with logistics and airbourne command and control.
Brogren credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Muskegon.
“I was taught that attire is everything and in the Navy it is important to look sharp,” said Brogren. “I also learned to never miss an opportunity and to tell the truth, even if it is embarrassing. You have to take ownership of your work.”
Members of the team plan, track and execute the transition of the Hawkeye Community to the E-2D to include training, personnel, supplies, and facilities.
The Hawkeye takes off from and lands aboard Navy aircraft carriers at sea. Using powerful radar and an array of advanced sensors, the twin-turboprop aircraft and its crew of five can remain in the air for hours, scanning the skies, detecting potential airborne and surface threats and relaying real-time information to other Navy aircraft and ships operating in the area.
Navy aircraft provide the Navy with a variety of other capabilities as well, including the ability to conduct search and rescue operations, communications relay, close air support coordination and drug interdiction. The Hawkeye can fly at nearly 350 mph at altitudes up to 30,000 feet.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Brogren is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Brogren is most proud of having a family and still being able to serve.
“I'm able to provide my kids more opportunities than I had,” said Brogren. “I want to be able to leave the Navy a better place.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Brogren, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Brogren is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My sister is a 22 year veteran of the Air Force,” said Brogren. “My wife’s great-granddad served in WWI and my great-uncle Joe served in the Navy as well.”
According to Navy officials, with just a handful of sailors assigned to the team, jobs are highly specialized and demand each sailor’s utmost efforts to keep each part of the Hawkeye and Greyhound communities running smoothly. This includes training new aviators, maintaining airframes and engines, or handling and flying the aircraft.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Brogren and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I'm able to protect ideas I care about, and family I love,” added Brogren. “I'm serving in an organization that's bigger than myself.”