Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Gilmore, a native of Glendale, serves with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37, operating out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The squadron’s primary mission is to conduct sea control operations in open-ocean and coastal environments. This includes hunting for submarines, searching for surface targets over the horizon and conducting search and rescue operations.

Gilmore, a 2018 Apollo High School graduate, joined the Navy five years ago.

“I considered it an honor to serve my country, to adventure the world and to have a feeling of accomplishment,” Gilmore said. "I grew up hearing stories from many family members that previously served. They inspired me to do something great with my life and I thought the Navy was best suitable for that.”

Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Glendale.

“The lessons I’ve learned from my hometown are to value simple traditions and to bring diversity to the Navy,” Gilmore said. “Growing up in Arizona it was always scorching hot which meant many pool days and barbecues. I still enjoy these traditions with my Navy family when we have days off together.”

Today, Gilmore serves with the helicopter squadron that flies the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. The MH-60R is a twin-engine helicopter used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, drug interdiction, anti-ship warfare, cargo lift, and special operations.

This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft.

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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.

"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations said. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."

Gilmore has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I am most proud of my crew and I being called to a medical evacuation to transport a patient to a nearby hospital for further care while I was stationed in Kaneohe, Hawaii,” he said. "I was hoisted down to a U.S. vessel and safely secured my patient for transportation. From this mission, I received a Naval and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for saving his life."