SAN DIEGO – Lt. j.g. Noah Ford, a native of Carbondale, Illinois, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41.
Ford graduated from Carterville High School in 2016.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Carbondale.
“I went to college at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where I played football and spearheaded an RSO program for cancer rehabilitation,” Ford said. “I was serving others early on and found a passion for serving others. After discovering this innate desire to serve, I coalesced these desires with my personal aspirations of being a pilot. The Navy presented the opportunity to serve others while pursuing my personal passion for flying.”
Ford joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Ford serves as a pilot.
“My dad was an Apache pilot in the Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom,” Ford said. “His dad before him was a master sergeant in the Air Force during Vietnam, and my great-great-grandpa was in the infantry in U.S. Africa Command during World War II. My initial college degree was in kinesiology. Originally, I thought I wanted to be a physical therapist, but I also simultaneously put together a package for a pilot slot with the Navy. I didn’t think I would be selected, but I soon received word that my package was accepted and my dream of being a military pilot was within reach.”
Members of HSM-41 fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Ford has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest moment was when my dad, who was a combat war hero, was able to pin me,” Ford said. “To have the man who was my inspiration pin my Wings of Gold on the same day I got married to my wonderful wife was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was a culmination of all my hard work after three years of rigorous training.”
Ford said the Navy provided them with the opportunity to fly their dream aircraft and propose marriage in a unique way.
“I had planned to fly my wife out to meet me for one of my cross-countries,” Ford said. “I flew to Austin, Texas, with three other helicopters from Milton, Florida. My wife met me on the flight line at Austin International Airport. I watched my wife run to me off the flight line, and as we walked back to the hotel that night, we got engaged in the middle of downtown. This experience wouldn’t have been possible without the Navy.”
Ford serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a purpose greater than myself,” Ford said. “It may be cliché, but I have a job that doesn’t just benefit me and my family, but a job where I get to support and defend the ones I love. Having the opportunity to serve others and put others before myself, and putting my life on the line for the Constitution so that others may have the liberties we fought for provides me with the reassurance every day I chose the right profession.”
Ford is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my wife,” Ford added. “She has been my biggest supporter since the day I met her. She has supported me every step of the way and has given me all the resources necessary to succeed. I also want to thank my parents, who have been a backbone I could always lean on. I could ask my dad and mom about anything, from aviation-related to personal. My brother, Luke, has also been an inspiration. Watching him go through intensive Army infantry training, knowing that we are serving at the same time and continuing our family’s legacy is something I can take pride in every day. Lastly, I want to thank the friends I have met along the way who have also helped make this possible. The people are what makes the United States Navy the greatest navy.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Ford graduated from Carterville High School in 2016.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Carbondale.
“I went to college at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where I played football and spearheaded an RSO program for cancer rehabilitation,” Ford said. “I was serving others early on and found a passion for serving others. After discovering this innate desire to serve, I coalesced these desires with my personal aspirations of being a pilot. The Navy presented the opportunity to serve others while pursuing my personal passion for flying.”
Ford joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Ford serves as a pilot.
“My dad was an Apache pilot in the Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom,” Ford said. “His dad before him was a master sergeant in the Air Force during Vietnam, and my great-great-grandpa was in the infantry in U.S. Africa Command during World War II. My initial college degree was in kinesiology. Originally, I thought I wanted to be a physical therapist, but I also simultaneously put together a package for a pilot slot with the Navy. I didn’t think I would be selected, but I soon received word that my package was accepted and my dream of being a military pilot was within reach.”
Members of HSM-41 fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Ford has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest moment was when my dad, who was a combat war hero, was able to pin me,” Ford said. “To have the man who was my inspiration pin my Wings of Gold on the same day I got married to my wonderful wife was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was a culmination of all my hard work after three years of rigorous training.”
Ford said the Navy provided them with the opportunity to fly their dream aircraft and propose marriage in a unique way.
“I had planned to fly my wife out to meet me for one of my cross-countries,” Ford said. “I flew to Austin, Texas, with three other helicopters from Milton, Florida. My wife met me on the flight line at Austin International Airport. I watched my wife run to me off the flight line, and as we walked back to the hotel that night, we got engaged in the middle of downtown. This experience wouldn’t have been possible without the Navy.”
Ford serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a purpose greater than myself,” Ford said. “It may be cliché, but I have a job that doesn’t just benefit me and my family, but a job where I get to support and defend the ones I love. Having the opportunity to serve others and put others before myself, and putting my life on the line for the Constitution so that others may have the liberties we fought for provides me with the reassurance every day I chose the right profession.”
Ford is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my wife,” Ford added. “She has been my biggest supporter since the day I met her. She has supported me every step of the way and has given me all the resources necessary to succeed. I also want to thank my parents, who have been a backbone I could always lean on. I could ask my dad and mom about anything, from aviation-related to personal. My brother, Luke, has also been an inspiration. Watching him go through intensive Army infantry training, knowing that we are serving at the same time and continuing our family’s legacy is something I can take pride in every day. Lastly, I want to thank the friends I have met along the way who have also helped make this possible. The people are what makes the United States Navy the greatest navy.”