By Stephanie Fox, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Mason Springer, a native of Splendora, Texas, serves the U.S. Navy as a member of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 located in San Diego, California.
Springer joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Springer serves as an aviation structural mechanic supporting missions flown by the Navy’s newest long-range, medium-lift aircraft, the CMV-22B Osprey.
“I wanted to further my education and work on complex machinery,” said Springer. “That’s why I joined the Navy.”
Growing up in Splendora, Springer attended The Woodlands High School and graduated in 2012. Today, Springer uses the same skills and values learned in Splendora to succeed in the military.
“My dad and my grandpa always told me if I was going to do something, to do it right, to the best of my ability,” said Springer. “I also learned to look closely at details, which is very important to the work that I do now.”
These lessons have helped Springer while serving in the Navy.
“I work to ensure the safety of the aircraft,” continued Springer. “I want every frame I work on to be in top condition, safe and ready to fly, so we do multiple inspections daily. We need to make sure we are ready to do the mission.”
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 Springer 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.
“We are a line of defense on the seas,” said Springer. “The Navy protects the homeland.”
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.”
Springer and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I advanced to petty officer second class within two years, which I'm very proud of and I've also had an opportunity to lead as a workcenter supervisor,” Springer said. “ I'm also working on my airframe and powerplants license while simultaneously working toward my bachelor’s degree.”
As Springer and the sailors they serve with continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“As a sailor, I'm part of something bigger,” added Springer. “I'm growing as a person and becoming a better human being as a whole while serving my country.”