SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Ruben Palomino, a native of Oxnard, California, serves the U.S. Navy as a member of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 located in San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
Palomino joined the Navy 19 years years ago. Today, Palomino serves as a naval aircrewman supporting missions flown by the Navy’s newest long-range, medium-lift aircraft: the CMV-22B Osprey.
“I joined the Navy to continue my education,” said Palomino.
Growing up in Oxnard, Palomino attended Oxnard High School and graduated in 1998. Today, Palomino uses the same skills and values learned in Oxnard to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I was taught to learn from the best and also to learn from the worst,” said Palomino. “I take what I can from that, and make things better in any situation.”
These lessons have helped Palomino while serving in the Navy.
The CMV-22B is the Navy’s version of the U.S. Marines’ V-22 Osprey. It is designed to replace the C-2A Greyhound, which has provided logistical support to aircraft carriers for four decades.
CMV-22Bs are vertical takeoff and landing tilt-rotor aircraft, which have an increased operational range, faster cargo loading/unloading, increased survivability and enhanced communications compared to the C-2A Greyhound.
According to Navy officials, the mission of the CMV-22B is to provide timely, persistent air logistics for sustained carrier strike group lethality, anywhere in the world.
“The men and women of VRM 30 deliver lethality and combat effectiveness to the Carrier Strike Group,” said Cmdr. Steve Parente, VRM 30’s commanding officer. “Through the sustainment of high priority logistics and critical personnel, our worldwide deployable CMV-22 Detachments directly enable the combat power of the world’s most powerful Navy anytime, anywhere. The Titans are extremely proud of their significant responsibility and steadfast service in the defense of our great nation.”
Serving in the Navy means Palomino is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus, rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“By bringing cultures together, we can bring people together for new ideas and attitudes,” said Palomino.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Palomino and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“Becoming a flight engineer is my proudest naval accomplishment,” said Palomino.
As Palomino and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“The Navy is a big part of my life,” added Palomino. “It’s a part of me. The sailors I serve with are like family. That means a lot.”