Fort Lauderdale Native Supports Versatile Missions while serving with U.S. Navy Helicopter Squadron

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jerome Field, Navy Office of Community Outreach

     NORFOLK, VA. – Airmen Jovonni Sonnier, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to a helicopter squadron operating out of Norfolk, Virginia. Sonnier graduated in 2014 from North University High School.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Fort Lauderdale.

“My hometown instilled a work ethic in me,” said Sonnier. “Fort Lauderdale teaches people how to work hard and grind every day.”

Sonnier joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Sonnier serves as an aviation ordnanceman assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28.

“I joined the Navy because I wanted to encourage my best friend to join,” said Sonnier. “So, when I finished college we both joined together.”

Members of HSC 28 fly and maintain the Navy’s MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter. Navy helicopters are able to perform many different missions. In general, some of the most common operations include search and rescue, air assaults, medical evacuations, supply transport and hunting submarines.

This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola, Florida. Six of them, known as “The First Six,” earned their “Wings of Gold” one year later. 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. According to Navy officials, our nation and our Navy are stronger because of their service.

Serving in the Navy means Sonnier is part of a team 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 important to national defense because the world consists mostly of water that needs to be secure for trade and leisure,” said Sonnier. “We are one of the greatest navies to have ever existed and we are up to the task at hand.”

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.

Sonnier has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment is completing my first deployment,” said Sonnier. “My first deployment was longer than all the time I had in the Navy up to that point combined.”

As Sonnier and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.

“Serving means I get to protect and support my family,” said Sonnier. “My family means everything to me.”

Sonnier is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Brittney Cage, Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class Errele Thomas, and the whole aviation shop. They have been like family to me,” added Sonnier. “I would also like to thank my wife, my mom and my younger brother.”