By Stephanie Fox, Navy Office of Community Outreach
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - A Oxford, North Carolina, native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission at Strategic Communications Wing One (STRATCOMMWING ONE). Its TACAMO ("Take Charge and Move Out") mission provides airborne communication links to nuclear missile units of U.S. Strategic Command.
Petty Officer 1st Class Nathaniel Wilbourne graduated from J. F. Webb High School in 2015. 
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to show my friends that had a negative outlook that you can succeed in a number of different ways,” said Wilbourne. "My brother-in-law also convinced me to join the Navy. He's been in my life since I was a kid and he was in the Navy. I saw that it treated him well, so I figured it would treat me well too."
Today, Wilbourne serves as an aviation machinist's mate.
“My favorite thing about my job is getting to do something a lot of other people can't do,” said Wilbourne. "I get to work on jet engines and aircraft for a living. Plus, I get to meet people from all walks of life. I love that aspect of my work."
Wilbourne uses skills and values similar to those found in Oxford to succeed in the Navy.
“Oxford taught me that you can build relationships with people you've never met so quickly,” said Wilbourne. "It's like when you become best friends with someone really fast. It’s like you always knew them. I've found that in the Navy too."
The Navy's presence aboard an Air Force base in the middle of America may seem like an odd location given its distance from any ocean; however, the central location allows for the deployment of aircraft to both coasts and the Gulf of Mexico on a moment’s notice. This quick response is key to the success of the nuclear deterrence mission.
The Navy command consists of a Wing staff, the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, and three Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons: The "Ironmen" of VQ 3, the "Shadows" of VQ 4 and the “Roughnecks” of VQ 7.
STRATCOMMWING One employs more than 1,300 active-duty sailors and 100 contractors to provide maintenance, security, operations, administration, training and logistic support for the Boeing E-6 Mercury aircraft fleet, an airborne command post and communications relay based on the Boeing 707.
Their mission stems from the original 1961 Cold War order known as ‘Take Charge and Move Out!’ Adapted as TACAMO and now the command’s nickname, the men and women of TACAMO continue to provide a survivable communication link between national decision makers and the nation’s nuclear weapons.
The commander-in-chief issues orders to members of the military who operate nuclear weapons aboard submarines, aircraft or in land-based missile silos. Sailors aboard TACAMO E-6 Mercury aircraft provide the one-of-a-kind and most-survivable communication needed for this critical mission.
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.
Serving in the Navy means Wilbourne is part of a team 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.
“The Navy contributes to the National Defense Strategy by being a show of force,” said Wilbourne.
Wilbourne and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest Navy accomplishment is having people who I was hard on tell me that they appreciate me the most,” said Wilbourne. "It helps shape them into better sailors."
As Wilbourne and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“To me, serving in the Navy means handling your business,” added Wilbourne. "We do what has to be done to keep everyone safe. Sometimes it means willing yourself to be the person that others need, or willing yourself into the person you need to be."