Page 10 - Mid America Boating - September 2022 issue

P. 10

Cleveland native serves centerpiece, our flagship, and a constant defense because we always have people
“The aircraft carrier is our U.S. Navy’s
deployed out to sea protecting the United
aboard floating airport reminder to the rest of the world of our endur- States and our NATO allies around the
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ] 10
world,” said Schultz.
ing maritime presence and influence,” said
More than 90 percent of all trade travels by
USS Carl Vinson Rear Adm. James P. Downey, Program Execu- sea, and fiber optic cables on the ocean floor
tive Officer (PEO) for Aircraft Carriers. “These
ships touch every part of our Navy’s mission
carry 95 percent of the world’s international
to project power, ensure sea control and deter phone and internet traffic.
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st nition of his contributions to the U.S. Navy. our adversaries.” Navy officials continue to emphasize that
Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Aircraft carriers provide unique capabilities Serving in the Navy means Schultz is part the prosperity and security of the United
Community Outreach and survivability. They are a powerful exhibi- of a world that is taking on new importance in States is directly linked to ready sailors and
tion of the American Navy’s legacy of inno- America’s focus on strengthening alliances, a strong Navy.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, serves the U.S. vation, technological evolution, and maritime modernizing capabilities, increasing capac- “Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an
Navy aboard one of the world’s largest dominance, according to Navy officials. ities and maintaining military readiness in investment in the security and prosperity of
warships, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, USS Vinson, like each of the Navy’s aircraft support of the National Defense Strategy. the United States, as well as the stability of
Carl Vinson. carriers, is designed for a 50-year service “The Navy is important to national our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of
Petty Officer 2nd Class Damion Schultz, a life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship Naval Operations.“The U.S. Navy – forward
2016 James Ford Rhodes High School gradu- carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, heli- deployed and integrated with all elements
ate, joined the Navy six years ago. copters and other aircraft – all of which take of national power – deters conflict, strength-
“I did four years of JROTC in high school,” off from and land aboard the carrier at sea. ens our alliances and partnerships and guar-
said Schultz. “I wanted to be the first person With more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard, antees free and open access to the world’s
in my family to serve in the military, so I Vinson is a self-contained mobile airport. oceans. As the United States responds to
joined the Navy.” Aircraft carriers are often the first respond- the security environment through integrated
Today, Schultz serves as a master-at-arms. ers in a global crisis because of their ability to deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy
Schultz relies upon skills and values from operate freely from anywhere on the world’s forward and campaign with a ready, capable,
lessons learned in Cleveland to succeed in oceans. Carrier strike groups are uniquely combat-credible fleet.”
the military. mobile, which makes them far more strategi- Sailors like Schultz, have many opportuni-
“Learning how to adapt to change was one cally advantageous than fixed-site bases. No ties to achieve accomplishments during their
of my biggest lessons from my hometown,” other weapon system can deploy and operate military service.
said Schultz. “My ROTC instructor used to forward with a full-sized, nuclear-powered “My proudest accomplishment is advanc-
tell me there are three things in life that will aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and ing to petty officer second class within two
always happen. You’re going to die, you’re the combat capability of its air wing. years of being in the Navy,” said Schultz.
going to pay taxes and things will change. In Since USS Langley’s commissioning 100 As Schultz and other sailors continue to
the Navy, you have to adapt to the changes or years ago, the nation’s aircraft carriers – such train and perform missions, they take pride in
you’ll stress yourself out.” as Vinson – and embarked carrier air wings serving their country in the United States Navy.
Homeported in San Diego, California, USS have projected power, sustained sea control, “Serving in the Navy means filling the boots
Carl Vinson is the United States Navy’s third bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian of sailors and other veterans who have served
Nimitz-class supercarrier. She is named for Carl assistance and disaster relief and maintained in the past,” added Schultz. “Especially, those
Vinson, a Congressman from Georgia, in recog- enduring commitments worldwide. whose lives were taken.” MAB

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