SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Rodrigo Lao, a native of San Jose, California, 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 |
Lao joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Lao serves as a logistics specialist at Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron.
“I was inspired to serve my country and to see the world,” said Lao.
Today, Lao relies upon skills and values similar to those found in San Jose to succeed in the military.
“San Jose has a large Filipino population,” said Lao. “We don't complain and we work hard. That helped me to strive more 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 Lao 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 our national defense because it helps the people of the United States feel safe,” Lao said. “When they travel and explore the world, they know they are safe.”
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.”
Lao and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is getting qualified in all my qualifications and seeing junior sailors progressing,” Lao said. “It's pretty fulfilling because you know you're making a positive impact on the sailors' lives.”
As Lao 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 protecting our country and making all the people in the United States feel safe and secure,” added Lao. “It also means making my family proud.”