By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne,
Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Theodore
Quintana
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 2007 Clear Brook High
School graduate and Friendswood, native is serving
in the U.S. Navy aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville,
home to the U.S. Navy’s newest maritime, patrol
and reconnaissance aircraft.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Reed is a Navy
aviation electrian’s mate serving with Commander,
Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 (CPRW-11).
A Navy aviation electrian’s mate is responsible for
ensuring all the wiring and anything electrical on the
aircraft is in working order and troubleshoot when an
issue arises.
“My favorite part of my job is the feeling of solving a
complicated puzzle,” said Reed.
Reed credits success in the Navy to many of the
lessons learned in Friendswood.
“In college, I learned what not to do and the Navy
gave me the structure to move forward,” said Reed.
The P-8A Poseidon is a multi-mission aircraft that is replacing the legacy P-3C Orion. Those
who fly in the P-8A hunt for submarines and surface ships as well as conduct intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance missions.
The P-8A operates with a smaller crew than the P-3C, and it also delivers an extended global
reach, greater payload capacity, and higher operating altitude. It also has an open-systems architecture
with significant growth potential.
According to Navy officials, there are more than 15 Navy patrol squadrons in the U.S. and
eight of those squadrons belong to Wing Eleven, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. This
means that those who serve here are part of the first “Super Wing” in Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance
history, ready to deploy and defend America and allies around the world.
Wing Eleven recently added the Navy’s newest squadron to its arsenal: Unmanned Patrol
Squadron Nineteen (VP-19), flying the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). The P-8A
and MQ-4C will serve as the future of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, according
to Navy officials.
When asked about his plans following his assumption of command ceremony in June, Capt.
Craig T. Mattingly, Commodore, Patrol and Reconnaissance of Wing 11 said, “Our focus will be
to take care of our most precious assets, the men and women of (Wing Eleven). We will sustain
current readiness of our P-8A squadrons and reserve P-3C squadron while incorporating the
MQ-4C Triton into the maritime patrol and reconnaissance force.”
Though there are many ways for a sailors to earn distinction in their command, community,
and career, Reed is most proud of seeing my junior sailors get promoted.
“I took part in it and when they come back and say thank you,” Reed said.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Reed and other sailors know
they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component
of the Navy the nation needs.
“The opportunities for the travel is much greater in this squadron”, said Reed.
“Making a career out of the Navy and having the job security for me and my family,” said Reed.
Knowing that I’ve done a good job when that plane comes home.”
