MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Mia Saldana Johnson, a native of Gilroy, California, is one of the sailors keeping naval aviators ready for takeoff while serving at Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) Southeast Detachment, Jacksonville, Florida.
Saldana Johnson graduated from Gilroy High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Gilroy.
“Before I joined, I was working as a hostess at Applebee’s dealing with different people and different attitudes,” Saldana Johnson said. “This taught me the importance of working together as a team. Most of the work we do in the Navy requires you to work with all types of people from different backgrounds, so that prior experience has helped, especially when having to transfer to new commands or interacting with different people.”
Saldana Johnson joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Saldana Johnson serves as an aircrew survival equipmentman.
“I joined the Navy to better myself,” Saldana Johnson said. “What inspired me were the benefits to enhance my education.”
FRC Southeast is Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider. Employing approximately 5,000 workers, FRC Southeast maintains, repairs and delivers aircraft, engines and aeronautical components to the fleet. Sailors serving at FRC Southeast Detachment Jacksonville maintain the P-3 Orion, P-8 Poseidon and H-60 Seahawk. These aircraft support maritime patrol, reconnaissance and anti-submarine missions and are a critical part of maintaining the combat airpower for America’s military forces.
“The meticulous repair work our sailors perform on these aircraft and components is exactly what keeps our Navy flying and our nation secure,” said Capt. Mike Windom, commanding officer of FRC Southeast. “Every piece of gear that leaves our facility is a promise to the warfighter that they have the equipment needed to execute their mission and come home safely.”
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.
Saldana Johnson has had many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am proud of receiving two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (NAM), being selected as Junior Sailor of the Quarter (JSOQ), and receiving a Bravo Zulu (BZ),” Saldana Johnson said. “One NAM was for having zero discrepancies on an inspection of our search and rescue program; the second was for completing a successful tour at Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72. I was also selected as JSOQ at HSM 72. Lastly, I received a BZ for successfully running our tool program.”
Saldana Johnson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving to me means growth and improving myself,” Saldana Johnson said. “It means bettering myself and my future so I am ready to take advantage of whatever comes my way. I am currently working towards an associate degree from Arizona State University, and I plan on commissioning in the future.”
Saldana Johnson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, Karina, and my dad, Rafael,” Saldana Johnson added. “They have supported me throughout my deployment and naval career.”
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. For more information, visit: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rion Codrington |
Saldana Johnson graduated from Gilroy High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Gilroy.
“Before I joined, I was working as a hostess at Applebee’s dealing with different people and different attitudes,” Saldana Johnson said. “This taught me the importance of working together as a team. Most of the work we do in the Navy requires you to work with all types of people from different backgrounds, so that prior experience has helped, especially when having to transfer to new commands or interacting with different people.”
Saldana Johnson joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Saldana Johnson serves as an aircrew survival equipmentman.
“I joined the Navy to better myself,” Saldana Johnson said. “What inspired me were the benefits to enhance my education.”
FRC Southeast is Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider. Employing approximately 5,000 workers, FRC Southeast maintains, repairs and delivers aircraft, engines and aeronautical components to the fleet. Sailors serving at FRC Southeast Detachment Jacksonville maintain the P-3 Orion, P-8 Poseidon and H-60 Seahawk. These aircraft support maritime patrol, reconnaissance and anti-submarine missions and are a critical part of maintaining the combat airpower for America’s military forces.
“The meticulous repair work our sailors perform on these aircraft and components is exactly what keeps our Navy flying and our nation secure,” said Capt. Mike Windom, commanding officer of FRC Southeast. “Every piece of gear that leaves our facility is a promise to the warfighter that they have the equipment needed to execute their mission and come home safely.”
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.
Saldana Johnson has had many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am proud of receiving two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (NAM), being selected as Junior Sailor of the Quarter (JSOQ), and receiving a Bravo Zulu (BZ),” Saldana Johnson said. “One NAM was for having zero discrepancies on an inspection of our search and rescue program; the second was for completing a successful tour at Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72. I was also selected as JSOQ at HSM 72. Lastly, I received a BZ for successfully running our tool program.”
Saldana Johnson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving to me means growth and improving myself,” Saldana Johnson said. “It means bettering myself and my future so I am ready to take advantage of whatever comes my way. I am currently working towards an associate degree from Arizona State University, and I plan on commissioning in the future.”
Saldana Johnson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, Karina, and my dad, Rafael,” Saldana Johnson added. “They have supported me throughout my deployment and naval career.”
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. For more information, visit: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/