SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Ashley Edmond, a native of Houston, Texas, serves the U.S. Navy as a member of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 50 located in San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sang Kim, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Edmond joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Edmond serves as an aviation maintenance administrationman at Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron.
“I was inspired to join for the travel and education opportunities,” said Edmond.
Growing up in Houston, Edmond attended Westfield High School and graduated in 2006. Today, Edmond relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Houston to succeed in the military.
“I'm from a big city that's like a melting pot,” said Edmond. “I learned to never judge a book by its cover because you don't know everybody's story.”
These lessons have helped Edmond 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 Edmond 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 let our presence be known all around the world,” said Edmond.
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.”
Edmond and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is helping the first person who worked under me to advance,” said Edmond. “I was able to teach them something and they absorbed the knowledge, allowing them to grow in their career.”
As Edmond 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 being a pillar of the community and leading by example in all aspects of my life,” added Edmond.