His supervisors, who take note of this unwavering work ethic, gave the Yuma Sailor a day of his own. The high standards O'Kelley strives for, while he plays a major role in launch and recovery of naval aircraft, are what distinguishes the three-year Navy veteran. O'Kelley serves aboard one of the biggest ships in the world. Even more impressive is the ship's arsenal. More than 75 aircraft, including fighters, bombers and helicopters, operate from the carrier's deck.
Sailors can launch four jets a minute from the ship in emergencies.
O'Kelley and the rest of the Kitty Hawk's crew started their Navy adventure for many different reasons. O'Kelley is stationed on the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier. The Kitty Hawk operates out of Yokosuka, Japan, where it can reach trouble spots in the Middle East or South Pacific days earlier than ships from the West Coast of the United States. I have mixed feeling about serving on board a forward deployed aircraft carrier. The quality of work O'Kelley delivers is proof that the Navy and its people are ready to maintain a presence throughout the world.