OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Airman Maliya Moore, a native of Victorville, California, joined the Navy to make her family proud and to find her purpose.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emilia Hilliard |
“Life at my command is very busy, especially in the morning, but I love the motivation we all share to get things done no matter the task,” said Moore.
Moore, a 2015 graduate of Apple Valley High School, serves with VP-47, a high-tech maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadron tasked with monitoring the world’s oceans in the state-of-the-art P-8A “Poseidon.”
“I’m responsible for inspecting survival equipment for the aircrew,” said Moore.
Moore credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Victorville.
“My hometown taught me to keep pushing even if things seem impossible,” said Moore. "In the Navy, even if it seems impossible, you have to find it in yourself to complete the mission."
VP-47's primary mission is to conduct maritime patrol and reconnaissance as well as long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence gathering missions. They deploy around the world to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
The P-8A Poseidon, the Navy’s newest maritime, patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, is a replacement aircraft for the legacy P-3C “Orion”. According to Navy officials, leveraging the experience and technology of the successful P-3C “Orion” with the needs of the fleet, the P-8A is designed to be combat-capable, and to improve an operator’s ability to efficiently conduct anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
As the Navy transitions to the full capacity with the P-8A “Poseidon”, the aircraft continues the work- horse tradition established by the P-3C “Orion”. The P-8A has a planned state-of-the-art open architecture mission system and next-generation sensors. These capabilities give warfighters added protection. The aircraft empowers the fleet with more combat capability, responsiveness, and interoperability with traditional manned forces and evolving unmanned sensors. The P-8A “Poseidon” has significant growth potential, with planned, phased-in technological improvements that extend global reach, payload capacity and higher-operating altitude.
“I like working with a squadron that uses the P-8 because it can detect submarines that are below sea level,” said Moore. "I think it helps our mission and helps keep our country safe."
Serving in the Navy means Moore is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, 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.
“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, Moore is most proud of graduating from boot camp and Navy job school.
“I was proud of that because it took studying every day, staying positive and praying,” said Moore.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Moore and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means being honored to wear this uniform every day, knowing I'm making a difference,” said Moore.