The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Elyria native serves in Navy
Midview graduate a part of maritime patrol aircraft squadron
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An Elyria native is serving with the U.S. Navy’s cutting-edge maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft squadron in Jacksonville, Florida.
“I wanted to change my everyday life into something better,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher McClain. “My grandfather was an inspiration to me. He originally wanted me to join the Marines, but he is proud that I joined the Navy.”
McClain serves with Patrol Squadron Twenty Six, a high-tech maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadron tasked with monitoring the world’s oceans in the state-of-the-art P-8A “Poseidon.”
Growing up in Elyria, McClain attended Midview High School and graduated in 2003. Today, McClain finds the values in Elyria similar to those needed to succeed in the military.
“My upbringing and how I was raised reflected on how I treat people in the military,” said McClain. “I am very respectful of the people I meet.”
These lessons have helped McClain while serving in the Navy supporting the P-8 Poseidon mission.
The P-8 Poseidon mission is to conduct maritime patrol and reconnaissance as well as long-range antisubmarine warfare, antisurface warfare and intelligence gathering missions. They deploy around the globe to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
The P-8A Poseidon, the Navy’s newest maritime, patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, is a replacement aircraft for the legacy P-3C “Orion.” According to Navy officials, leveraging the experience and technology of the successful P-3C “Orion” with the needs of the fleet, the P-8A is designed to be combat-capable, and to improve an operator’s ability to efficiently conduct antisubmarine warfare; antisurface warfare; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Serving in the Navy means McClain is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is a projection of power overseas and sea control over our enemies,” said McClain. “We fly missions every day to make sure we are ready if stuff happens. Our training makes us have power over our enemies.”
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
There are many accomplishments that come with military service, and McClain is most proud of earning meritorious advancement to E-5.
“I was hand-selected to earn this meritorious advancement and found out during a deployment,” said McClain. “I had never earned anything like this. Everyone was very supportive.”
As McClain and other sailors continue to train, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“It means everything to serve in the Navy,” he added. “It provides me the opportunity to take care of my family, be debt-free and be responsible, as well as opens doors to many job opportunities and education. It makes me a better person.”