By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan Payne, a native of Dunbar, West Virginia, serves the U.S. Navy as a member of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 50, located in San Diego, California.
 |
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sang Kim, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Payne joined the Navy seven years ago.
“I wanted to be a framer,” said Payne. “I was a grease monkey as a kid, and the Navy gave me million-dollar assets to work on instead of a dirt bike.”
Growing up in Dunbar, Payne attended Nitro High School and graduated in 2015.
Today, Payne relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Dunbar to succeed in the military.
“I learned about respect, responsibility, and having a strong work ethic,” said Payne. “I grew up in a small town, so I learned to respect older people and it kind of carried over.”
These lessons have helped Payne 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.
"Serving in the Navy means Payne is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy."
“The Navy contributes to the national defense strategy because we've always been a powerful asset since the beginning,” Payne said. “We have a global presence and we act as a deterrent.”
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 ready sailors and a strong Navy.
“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “The U.S. Navy—forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power—deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”
“The Surface Force will continue to meet the challenge of strategic competition and respond to the realities of the modern security environment,” said Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener, commander of naval surface forces. “Our efforts are critical to preserve freedom of the seas, deter aggression and win wars.”
Payne and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of earning the Carrier Air Group (CAG) Sailor of the Year Award,” Payne said. “It was a recognition of the hard work that I put in during my years in the Navy so far.”
As Payne and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means pride and accomplishment,” added Payne. “I love my job and I love being a mechanic. I always love coming to work.”