A Tacoma, Washington native is serving with the U.S. Navy’s cutting-edge maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft squadron in Jacksonville, Florida.
Airman Apprentice Tanner Malleysuepke joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Malleysuepke serves as an avionics technician.
“I come from a background in swimming,” said Malleysuepke. “I was a swimmer in high school. I wanted to serve my country, so the Navy was a logical choice.”
Malleysuepke serves with Patrol Squadron Five, 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 Tacoma, Malleysuepke attended Wilson High School and graduated in 2010. Today, Malleysuepke finds the values in Tacoma similar to those needed to succeed in the military.
“I learned how to work hard,” said Malleysuepke. “You can’t give up when things get tough. Things weren’t always easy, but I learned that if you keep persevering you’ll reach your goals.”
These lessons have helped Malleysuepke 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 Malleysuepke 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 maintains maritime control around the world,” said Malleysuepke. “We have to be ready for anything.”
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 Malleysuepke is most proud of being the most physically fit in his Navy school.
“During school we learned the basics of electronics, and how circuits worked,” said Malleysuepke. “I scored an excellent on my physical readiness test. I”ve always been into fitness. In addition to swimming, I’m also a runner. I ran two half marathons before joining the Navy.”
As Malleysuepke and other sailors continue to train, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy gives me the opportunity to be part of something greater than myself,” added Malleysuepke. “I’m proud to say I serve in the greatest Navy on the planet defending the greatest country on earth.”
