By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Hunter Turlington, a native of La Porte, Texas, was recently promoted while serving aboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt.
"It's important for me to set an example for my family back home, especially my daughter, Shiloh," said Turlington. "I want to show them to be strong and of good courage in all that we do, no matter the opposition. Eventful and chaotic days out at sea make for calm and peaceful days for our families stateside. The sacrifice we make out here, to be away from our loved ones, is not unnoticed, nor without meaning, but rather it's exactly where we have been called to in this season."
Turlington graduated from La Porte High School in 2013. Additionally, Turlington earned an associate degree in math from San Jacinto College.
Turlington joined the Navy two and a half years ago. Today Turlington serves as an aerographer's mate.
According to Navy officials, Turlington volunteered as a last-minute addition aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, joining the ship in the 5th Fleet in support of United States Central Command's ongoing maritime defense against Houthi threats. As an aerographer's mate, Turlington provided critical meteorological support for the strike group attached to USS Theodore Roosevelt by preparing and briefing the captain, warfare commanders and pilots on weather observations, forecasts and environmental impacts to operations.
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s Naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
Aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s ocean. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
USS Theodore Roosevelt is the U.S. Navy’s fourth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and is named in honor of the 26th president of the United States.
As Turlington and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.