LEMOORE, Calif. - Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Petty Officer 2nd Class Ty Reek James, this story has ties to Garland, Texas, where skills and values learned there are foundational to success in the Navy.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mitch Meppelink |
“I played fullback for my football team in high school,” James said. “I really enjoyed being part of a team and working together to get the job done.”
James graduated from Naaman Forrest High School in 2018.
James joined the Navy eight years ago.
“I joined the Navy to set myself and my family up for success,” James said. “The Navy gave me opportunities including being mentored by the greatest of the great and learning technical skills I could keep with me for life.”
Today, James serves as an aviation ordnanceman assigned to Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, Lemoore onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore.
NAS Lemoore is home to Commander Strike Fighter Wing Pacific and Commander Joint Strike Fighter Wing. More than half of the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft reside here, and it is the only Navy installation to house the F-35C Lightning II.
Carrier strike groups, and the embarked aviation squadrons, are the cornerstone of U.S. naval power projection and sea power. They can quickly maneuver thousands of miles with the world’s most capable warships and top-notch Sailors, remaining on station in areas of interest without relying on land bases or overflight agreements. U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are the most adaptable, lethal, and survivable airfields in the world and their presence serves as the most credible commitment to our Allies and partners.
Naval aviation provides the Navy and our nation with a flexible, adaptable, and lethal force to preserve peace, respond in crises, and win decisively in combat. The U.S. Navy maintains and operates more than 2,000 aircraft to fulfill various mission sets in order to preserve the American way of life and ensure freedom, security and 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.
James has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am very proud of the fact that I was able to obtain my master training specialist qualification,” James said. “I am also proud of my successful deployments in the 5th and 7th Fleet and being promoted to petty officer 2nd class. I can now be a leader for younger sailors and help them with their qualifications and training.”
James serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
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. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/
“Serving in the Navy means giving your all for the betterment of other Americans," James said. “Sailors all around the world are on the front lines to make sure our families and fellow Americans can sleep safely at night and live the lives they want to. We defend the freedoms of others.”
James is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, Jamell, for helping raise me to be the man I am today,” James said. “I would also like to thank all of my fellow sailors out here in the fleet who serve alongside me.”