Story by M. Dawn Scott, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Theodore Quintana
MAYPORT, Fla. – A 2014 Meade Senior High School graduate and Hanover, Maryland, native is one of 1,200 sailors who recently returned to Naval Station Mayport after a six-month deployment aboard USS Iwo Jima.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Novreske is a Navy information systems technician aboard the Iwo Jima, an amphibious assault ship, who recently deployed to the Middle East and Mediterranean areas of operation. For more than half of the sailors aboard Iwo Jima, the six-month journey served as their first deployment, according to Navy officials.
A Navy information systems technician is responsible for fixing computers and admin work on communications equipment.
“I like the working conditions and the fact that my job allows me to be flexible and work on a lot of different issues,” Novreske said.
Novreske credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Hanover.
“My hometown taught me the best way to learn something you don’t know is by doing it,” Novreske said.
Iwo Jima made port calls in Haifa, Israel; Limassol, Cyprus; Aqaba, Jordan, and Malaga, Spain. The visits helped grow the strong alliance between the U.S. and its partner nations as well as providing an opportunity for the crew to experience cultures from around the world, according to Navy officials.
Deployed since Feb. 7 as part of an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), the ship participated in exercises Juniper Cobra and Eager Lion. It also hosted a 10-day embarkation of Egyptian naval officers to discuss concepts of amphibious naval operations and strengthen partner nation capabilities.
“This deployment was the most high-tempo one I’ve experienced in my 25-year naval career,” said Capt. Joseph O’Brien, Iwo Jima’s commanding officer. “The entire Navy and Marine Corps team performed extraordinarily well in an incredibly dynamic environment throughout deployment. The sailors and Marines working on equipment, launching aircraft on the flight deck, conducting amphibious operations, navigating the ship and standing watch down in the plant were all at the absolute top of their game. This is an amazing group of sailors and Marines, and I am honored to serve with them.”
Though there are many ways for a sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Novreske is most proud of advancing in rank during deployment.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Novreske and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy gives me the chance to see the world all while learning how to work on electronics,” Novreske said
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