A Greeley man who joined the U.S. Navy more than a decade ago on a desire to travel now serves as a logistics specialist for the Navy in Italy.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jesus Segura joined the Navy 13 years ago and now works at the Priority Material Office out of Sigonella, Italy, according to a release from the Navy Office of Community Outreach. Naval Air Station Sigonella is in eastern Sicily.
“I wanted to travel, and was tired of the civilian nine-to-five world,” Segura said in the release. “One of my best friends who served in the Navy told me about all the places he had been, and after that, I was sold on the Navy.”
Segura grew up in Greeley, graduating from high school in 2008. He now uses the same skills and values learned in Greeley to succeed in the military.
“I learned hard work and strength growing up, and wanted stability in life to pass on to my own family,” said Segura.
Naval Air Station Sigonella provides consolidated operational, command and control, administrative, logistical and advanced logistical support to U.S. and other NATO forces, according to Navy officials. The station supports a rotation of squadrons and multi-service, multi-national transient aircraft.
“My first submarine sea tour is what I’m most proud of,” Segura said. “I was definitely thrown into the unknown, and accomplishing that made me know I could do anything.”
Thousands of miles southeast of Segura and Naval Air Station Sigonella, a Firestone native is serving on the USS Abraham Lincoln in the South China Sea. Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Michael Acker is assigned to the “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, according to a release from the Navy Office of Community Outreach.
The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships. The group also serves as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, the release states.
More than 90% of trade travels by sea, and about 95% of the world’s international phone and internet traffic is carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor. The prosperity and security of the U.S. are directly linked to a strong and ready Navy, officials emphasized in the release.
“I have a lot of family and friends in the military, and I feel a lot of pride being able to serve,” Segura said.
Read More: Greeley, Firestone natives serve in US Navy in Italy, South China Sea – Greeley