Norfolk native serves with U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron supporting maritime missions around the globe

ByRickBurke

Navy Office of Community Outreach

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Petty Officer

2nd Class Eva Riccio a native of Norfolk, Virginia, serves with Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 8 based out of Jacksonville, Florida. The squadron’s primary mission is to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence, surveillanceandreconnaissancemissions

Riccio, a 2019 graduate of Granby High School,joinedtheNavythreeyearsago

“IjoinedtheNavytofollowinmyfamily’s footsteps,”saidRiccio “Myfather Frederick, served15yearsintheArmyincivilaffairsand 12 years in the Navy as a boatswain’s mate

My oldest sister served in the Army in civil affairs and has been in since 2012 My aunt did 12 years in the Navy as a hospital corpsman and my grandfather is a retired Navy SeniorChiefwhoservedduringVietnam.”

Today,Riccioreliesuponskillsandvalues similartothosefoundinNorfolktosucceed inthemilitary

“Growing up, I learned that humility and respectwillgetyouthefurthestinlife,”said Riccio. “You always need to put your best footforwardandtaketheinitiativeinorder togetthejobdone.”

These lessons have helped Riccio while servingintheNavy VP 8 flies the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft. Designed tosecuretheU.S.Navy’sfutureinlong-range maritime patrol capability, the P-8A has transformedhowtheNavy’smaritimepatrol and reconnaissance force will man, train, operate and deploy, according to Navy officials Whiletheaircraftisalsoequippedwith high-quality weapon systems it also has an open architecture to allow for expansion P-8Adeployaroundtheglobetomonitorthe world’soceanswherevertheyareneeded.

This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola;oneyearlatersixofthem,known as “The First Six,” earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviatorsprojectpowerfromtheseaineverytype of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is strongerbecauseoftheirservice.

With90percentofglobalcommercetrav- elingbyseaandaccesstotheinternetrelying onthesecurityofunderseafiberopticcables, Navyofficialscontinuetoemphasizethatthe prosperity of the United States is directly linkedtotrainedsailorsandastrongNavy

“Ourmissionremainstimeless-toprovide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, ChiefofNavalOperations “Thisisourcalling And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”

ServingintheNavymeansRiccioispartof a team that is taking on new importance in America’sfocusonstrengtheningalliances, modernizingcapabilities,increasingcapacities and maintaining military readiness in supportoftheNationalDefenseStrategy

“The Navy contributes to our national defense by protecting our waters and being a quick response to adversaries that should notbethere, saidRiccio

Riccioandthesailorstheyservewithhave manyopportunitiestoachieveaccomplishmentsduringtheirmilitaryservice

“My proudest accomplishment is making the rank of petty officer second class in two years and being on deployments that included Bahrain in six months, a month in Alaska, two months in the Philippines and Japanforfourmonths,”saidRiccio “Looking atwhatI’vealreadyaccomplishedattheage of 21, there are a lot of people that I went to highschoolwiththatarestilldoingthesame thing and have not progressed in life Now, notonlyamItheyoungestsecondclassinmy command, but junior sailors who are older thanmelookuptomeandaskforguidance.”

As Riccio and other sailors continue to train and perform missions they take pride inservingtheircountryintheUnitedStates Navy

“Being in the Navy is being a part of the most chaotic family I’ve ever known,” said Riccio “Although we may have differences at times, we are all one big family and look outforoneanother.”

Riccio is grateful to others for helping makeaNavycareerpossible

“I would like to thank both my CO and XOforlookingoutformeandlettingmego backhometotakecareofafamilysituation, addedRiccio “I’mverygratefulforourleadershipbecausetheylookoutforusandtake careofuslikeonebigfamily.”

PettyOfficer2nd Class Eva Riccio a native ofNorfolk,Virginia,serveswith Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 8 based