By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Petty Officer 1st Class Jackson Msimbe
OAK HARBOR, WASH. – Petty Officer 1st Class Jackson Msimbe, a native of Hollywood, Florida, is serving with the U.S. Navy’s cutting-edge maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft squadron in Oak Harbor, Washington.
Msimbe joined the Navy 11 years ago. Today, Msimbe serves as an aviation electronics technician.
“Pretty much I was recruited out of college,” said Msimbe. “I was attracted by the education benefits and the opportunity of traveling around the world. I wanted a career path, something that would be stable for my future.”
Msimbe serves with Maritime Patrol Squadron Forty-Seven, a high-tech maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadron tasked with monitoring the world’s oceans in the state-of-the-art P-8A “Poseidon.”
Msimbe attended Miami Jackson Senior High School and graduated in 2004. Today, Msimbe uses skills and values like those found in Hollywood.
“Growing up the biggest thing was the cultural diversity,” said Msimbe. “It helped to bring these lessons to the Navy. When I joined the Navy, I was able to work with people from different walks of life.”
These lessons have helped Msimbe 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 anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface 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 anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Serving in the Navy means Msimbe 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.
“We keep the water safe, and the freedom of navigation contributes to economic prosperity back home,” said Msimbe.
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.”
Msimbe and other sailors have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m most proud of attaining my master’s degree in health care administration using the Navy tuition assistance program, while still doing my job as an aviation electronics technician and while on sea duty,” said Msimbe. “I’m also proud of being selected for the 2019 in the Arena award.”
As Msimbe and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions to support national defense, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“To me, serving in the Navy means sacrifice,” added Msimbe. “It’s a great opportunity to serve others and be humble and develop yourself to have a bright future. It’s not about me, it’s about others.”
