SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Zay-Qwan Williams, a native of Rochester, New York, serving 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 |
Williams joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Williams serves as an aviation structural mechanic with Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to travel the world,” said Williams. “I’m also going to use this as a stepping stone to build my life.”
Growing up in Rochester, Williams attended Fredrick Douglas High School and graduated in 2016. Today, Williams relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Rochester to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I learned to not always live in the past and to always try to improve yourself,” said Williams.
These lessons have helped Williams 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 Williams 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 is important to national defense because we are a jack of all trades,” said Williams. “We use assets that protect the land, air and sea.”
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.”
Williams and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest moment in the Navy so far is coming back from my second deployment,” said Williams. “I was able to travel and see more countries than I was able to on my first deployment.”
As Williams 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 is important to me because it has provided me with a secure job in order to be able to take care of my family,” added Williams.