OKLAHOMA CITY — Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Airman Chloe Bench, this story began in Plainview, Texas, where skills and values learned there would be foundational to success in the Navy.
“My hometown taught me to value the simple things in life and how to work as a team,” Bench said. “Those lessons have given me a strong work ethic that has stayed with me throughout my time in the Navy.”Bench graduated from Plainview High School in 2023.Bench joined the Navy two years ago.“I joined the Navy to make my own path in life,” Bench said. “I also wanted to help further my education without going into debt.”Today, Bench is assigned to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Four (VQ-4) in Oklahoma City. Bench supports the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission at Strategic Communications Wing One (STRATCOMMWING ONE). Its “Take Charge and Move Out” (TACAMO) mission provides airborne communication links to nuclear missile units of U.S. Strategic Command.The TACAMO mission originated in 1961 when a Marine Corps aircraft was used to test the feasibility of an airborne Very Low Frequency (VLF) communications system. Once the test was successful, funding for the program was granted, and it has continued to grow ever since.The U.S. Navy’s presence on an Air Force base in a landlocked state may seem strange, but the position is strategic, allowing squadrons to quickly deploy around the world in support of the TACAMO mission.The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.Bench has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.“I am most proud of picking up a rate this year,” Bench said. “I am also proud of helping other sailors achieve their goals because I like being supportive of others.”Bench serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.“Serving in the Navy means being able to travel, better my life and get out of my hometown while protecting others,” Bench said.Bench is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my parents, Jessica and James, and the rest of my family for supporting me throughout this journey,” Bench added. “I wouldn’t be doing this without them.”…