Brick Petty Officer Serves On Navy’s Newest Amphibious Assault Ship

Petty Officer 2nd Class Cortney Jones (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne)

  BRICK – Brick native Petty Officer 2nd Class Cortney Jones, who joined the Navy six years ago, will now serve as a master-at-arms aboard USS Tripoli.

  Jones graduated from Brick Township High School in 2010, and today she uses the same skills and values learned in Brick to succeed in the military.

  “I wanted to see the world and do something different,” Jones said. “I grew up quickly which helps me now because I can relate to the younger sailors and help them grow.”

  The USS Tripoli incorporates key components to provide the fleet with a more aviation-centric platform. The design features an enlarged hangar deck, aviation maintenance facilities realignment and expansion, a significant increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity.

  “The sailors aboard this ship have been given an enormous task – get this ship ready,” Capt. John Kiefaber, USS Tripoli’s executive officer, said. “They brought this ship to life in the midst of a pandemic and continued to operate it safely and effectively, rising to every occasion. I couldn’t be more proud.”

  Serving in the Navy, Jones is responsible for taking on a new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

  “We maintain security on the seas and make sure we can deliver forces and support wherever needed,” Jones said.

  Since more than 90 percent of all trade travels by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic is carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials indicate that the prosperity and security of the United States is linked to a strong and ready Navy.

  Four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities and capacity, according to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday.

  “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,” Gilday said. “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.”

  “I’m proud of advancing to second class and earning my enlisted surface warfare qualification,” Jones said.

  Jones as well as other sailors will continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, and take pride in serving their country.

  “For me, serving in the Navy is about following in my grandfathers’ footsteps,” Jones said. “One of mine served in World War II and the other in Vietnam. I wanted to help preserve what they fought so hard for.”