Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- A 2010 North Marion High School graduate and Ocala, Florida, native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Mikeisha Hovde is an aviation machinist's mate with the Gladiators of VFA 106, which operates out of Naval Air Station Oceana. A Navy aviation machinist's mate is responsible for maintaining and fixing F/A-18 Super Hornet engines.
Hovde credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Ocala.
“If you want to get anywhere in life, a good work ethic is imperative,” said Hovde.
Members of VFA 106 fly and maintain the F/A 18 Super Hornet, one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. The Super Hornet takes off from and lands on Navy aircraft carriers at sea and is capable of conducting air-to-air combat as well as striking targets on land. It is approximately 61 feet long, has a loaded weight of 51,000 pounds, and a max speed of 1,190 miles per hour.
Operating from sea aboard aircraft carriers, the Super Hornet gives the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, at any time. The versatile jet has the ability to destroy targets located hundreds of miles inland. Super Hornets are an all-weather aircraft used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for interdiction and air support.
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.
Hovde 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, Hovde is most proud of being nominated for the command’s Junior Sailor of the Year.
“I didn’t get it, but I wasn’t at the command long,” said Hovde. “What’s more important is that my work was noticed in the short time I was there. That meant a lot.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Hovde, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Hovde is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“Almost my whole family has some military service. My dad did 28 years in the Army, and mom did 10 years there herself,” said Hovde. “My uncle was a Navy pilot.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Hovde and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Ultimately my life goal was to serve in the military after seeing how it molded my parents,” added Hovde. “I wanted that too.”
Hovde credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Ocala.
“If you want to get anywhere in life, a good work ethic is imperative,” said Hovde.
Members of VFA 106 fly and maintain the F/A 18 Super Hornet, one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. The Super Hornet takes off from and lands on Navy aircraft carriers at sea and is capable of conducting air-to-air combat as well as striking targets on land. It is approximately 61 feet long, has a loaded weight of 51,000 pounds, and a max speed of 1,190 miles per hour.
Operating from sea aboard aircraft carriers, the Super Hornet gives the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, at any time. The versatile jet has the ability to destroy targets located hundreds of miles inland. Super Hornets are an all-weather aircraft used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for interdiction and air support.
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.
Hovde 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, Hovde is most proud of being nominated for the command’s Junior Sailor of the Year.
“I didn’t get it, but I wasn’t at the command long,” said Hovde. “What’s more important is that my work was noticed in the short time I was there. That meant a lot.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Hovde, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Hovde is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“Almost my whole family has some military service. My dad did 28 years in the Army, and mom did 10 years there herself,” said Hovde. “My uncle was a Navy pilot.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Hovde and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Ultimately my life goal was to serve in the military after seeing how it molded my parents,” added Hovde. “I wanted that too.”