NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, JAPAN. - Chief Petty Officer Fernando Mercader, a native of Houston, Texas, serves in the U.S. Navy as a member of a helicopter squadron forward deployed to Japan.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel |
Mercader graduated from Dulles High School in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Houston.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Houston.
“I learned to keep pushing yourself to improve yourself,” said Mercader. "Getting comfortable leads to complacency."
Mercader joined the Navy 11 years ago. Today, Mercader serves as a logistics specialist.
“I joined the Navy to better myself, to support my family, and to move my life forward,” said Mercader.
Members of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 fly and maintain helicopters for the U.S. Navy. Navy helicopters are able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include search and rescue, air assaults, medical evacuations, supply transport and hunting submarines.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Mercader in Japan as part of the forward deployed naval forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Mercader has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of meeting my wife and making a family,” said Mercader.
Mercader can take pride in serving America through military service.
“It makes me feel proud to represent the Navy everywhere I go,” said Mercadero.
Mercader is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my recruiter,” added Mercader. "Joining the Navy for me was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing and my recruiter was very helpful and supportive every step of the way."
Mercader is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my recruiter,” added Mercader. "Joining the Navy for me was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing and my recruiter was very helpful and supportive every step of the way."