(PATUXENT RIVER, Md.) A 2002 Perry Traditional Academy graduate and Pittsburgh native is serving “Where the future of naval aviation begins” at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, located in Patuxent River, Md.
Petty Officer 1st Class Milford Ford is an air traffic controller at NAS Patuxent River, responsible for the overall safety of aircrews and the orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic control.
Located at the mouth of the Patuxent River, the 14,500-acre complex is host to Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division headquarters and Headquarters, Naval Air Systems Command. These two entities provide the full spectrum of acquisition management, research and development capabilities, air and ground test and evaluation, aircraft logistics and maintenance management.
“I enjoy the challenge of being able to safely separate aircraft and ensure flight evolutions are completed in accordance with naval standards and regulations,” said Ford.
NAS Patuxent River is home to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and the Atlantic Test Range and 50 other tenant commands. The facilities at Patuxent River are utilized by foreign governments, academic institutions and private industry for similar projects and deliver effective and efficient installation management enabling tenants to achieve integrated warfare systems and life cycle sustainment.
Ford said he and other sailors are proud to be serving at a command that readily defends America at all times.
“I love the fact that it is a testing facility,” said Ford. “We get to control every type of naval aircraft during various missions and operations before approval of mass production.”
With more than 800 employees assigned to the host naval air station staff, the civilian and military “Pax Pros” work hard to ensure the continued security, safety and first-class services are provided to all 20,000+ employees working aboard the installation, according to Navy officials.
“The work our sailors and civilians do every day is extremely important to both the current health and future of Naval Aviation, and it directly impacts the Fleet,” said Capt. Scott Starkey, Naval Air Station Patuxent River commanding officer. ”From our Naval Security Force that keep us secure, to our Fire and Emergency Services, child care professionals and morale welfare and recreation personnel, and our Air and Port Operations Team, and everything in-between, our PAX TEAM enables our tenants’ missions and positively impacts research, development, testing and evaluation. We are extremely proud of our personnel and the important work they do every day.”
Serving in Navy, Ford is learning about being more of a leader through handling numerous responsibilities.
“Since joining the Navy, I’ve learned how to lead sailors in the fleet from completing tasks, missions, training exercises and operations both effectively and efficiently,” said Ford.
(By Navy Office of Community Outreach)
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