OKLAHOMACITY—Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Senior Chief Petty Officer Andrew Lilley, this story began in Durant, Oklahoma, where skills and values learned there would be foundational to success in the Navy.
“Being a member of the Boy Scouts growing up instilled a strong sense of morals that translated well to the Navy core values,” Lilley said. “While in the Scouts, I got to experience travel, meet folks from all over the world, adventure, and learn life skills that I continue to rely upon today.”
Lilley graduated from Durant High School in 1995.
Andrew Lilley
Lilley joined the Navy 26 years ago.
“I joined the Navy to pursue my passion for aviation,” Lilley said.
Today, Lilley serves as a naval air crewman (mechanical) assigned to Fleet Air Re- connaissance Squadron Four (VQ-4) in Oklahoma City. Lilley supports the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission at Strategic Communications Wing One (STRATCOMMWING ONE). Its “Take Charge and Move Out” (TACAMO) mission provides airborne communication links to nuclear missile units of U.S. Strategic Command.
The TACAMO mission originated in 1961 when a Marine Corps aircraft was used to test the feasibility of an airborne Very Low Frequency (VLF) communications system. Once the test was successful, funding for the program was granted, and it has continued to grow ever since.
The U.S. Navy’s presence on an Air Force base in a landlocked state may seem strange, but the position is strategic, allowing squadrons to quickly deploy around the world in support of the TACAMO mission.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiberoptic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Lilley has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is two-fold,” Lilley said. “I qualified as both a P-3C and an E-6B flight engineer. These accomplishments allowed me to serve my country, first in a combat role during Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and now in a nuclear deterrence role. This career has also allowed me to provide personal and professional guidance and development to the younger generation of sailors.”
Lilley serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy has meant a great deal to me,” Lilley said. “I am appreciative of the opportunities the Navy has provided for personal growth, specialized skills, education and avenues to give back to my community and its veterans. And, the fact that I get to fly for a living is simply amazing, just like my grandfather and uncle.”
Lilley is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom, Sandra Jacob, for her love and support throughout my career,” Lilley added. “Most importantly, I want to thank my wife, Sarah Lilley, and our kids, Cameron, Kendall, Connor, and Kieran, for supporting me through all the moves we’ve made and the sacrifices they’ve had to make, especially when I was deployed.”
