BILOXI, Miss. — U.S. Navy Commander Ka Xiong, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, serves as the commanding officer of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU), located at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Xiong graduated from Arlington Senior High School in 2005. She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2009 with a degree in Oceanography and earned a master's degree in meteorology and physical oceanography from the Naval Post Graduate School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in St. Paul.
“Surround yourself with people who you want to be like,” Xiong said.
Xiong joined the Navy 16 years ago.
“I did not see many naval officers who looked like me,” Xiong said. “I was in NJROTC in high school, and couldn't relate to a lot of the people. We all look for ways to connect, and one of the easiest ways is to find someone who looks like you. I had this idea that maybe I should be the one to set an example.”
CNATTU Keesler is a training command that falls under Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), the largest shore command in the Navy with more than 24,000 military and staff personnel at more than 624 subordinate activities, sites, talent acquisition groups, stations, and detachments throughout the world. NETC recruits, trains and delivers those who serve our nation, taking them from "street to fleet" by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operational and combat-ready warfighters.
Xiong has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of the opportunity to be a commanding officer, specifically, to be trusted with leading the sons and daughters of America in one of the most exciting times in human civilization,” Xiong said.
Xiong 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 means defending freedom,” Xiong said. “Having served around the world, I have a greater appreciation for a democratic form of government.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
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.
Xiong is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to express my gratitude for my mother, sisters, and other family members for their unconditional love and support,” Xiong added.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hunter Harwell, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Xiong graduated from Arlington Senior High School in 2005. She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2009 with a degree in Oceanography and earned a master's degree in meteorology and physical oceanography from the Naval Post Graduate School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in St. Paul.
“Surround yourself with people who you want to be like,” Xiong said.
Xiong joined the Navy 16 years ago.
“I did not see many naval officers who looked like me,” Xiong said. “I was in NJROTC in high school, and couldn't relate to a lot of the people. We all look for ways to connect, and one of the easiest ways is to find someone who looks like you. I had this idea that maybe I should be the one to set an example.”
CNATTU Keesler is a training command that falls under Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), the largest shore command in the Navy with more than 24,000 military and staff personnel at more than 624 subordinate activities, sites, talent acquisition groups, stations, and detachments throughout the world. NETC recruits, trains and delivers those who serve our nation, taking them from "street to fleet" by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operational and combat-ready warfighters.
Xiong has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of the opportunity to be a commanding officer, specifically, to be trusted with leading the sons and daughters of America in one of the most exciting times in human civilization,” Xiong said.
Xiong 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 means defending freedom,” Xiong said. “Having served around the world, I have a greater appreciation for a democratic form of government.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
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.
Xiong is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to express my gratitude for my mother, sisters, and other family members for their unconditional love and support,” Xiong added.