NORFOLK, Va. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Colton Allen, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, supports versatile missions while serving at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28.

Allen joined the Navy almost 11 years ago. Today, Allen serves as a naval aircrewman helicopter.

“I joined the Navy because it is a family business,” said Allen. “My dad is still in the Navy and my grandfather was drafted during Vietnam. I’ve known since I was 12 that I was going to do this.”

Allen attended Broken Arrow High School and graduated in 2012.

Skills and values similar to those found in Tulsa are similar to those required to succeed in the military.

“Oklahoma taught me humility and how to treat people with respect,” said Allen. “You aren’t going to get very far if you don’t have humility or treat people with respect. No one will listen to you in a leadership role or trust that you can get the job done.”

These lessons have helped Allen while serving with the Navy.

Members of HSC 28 fly and maintain helicopters for the U.S. Navy. Navy helicopters are able to perform many different missions. In general, some of the most common operations include search and rescue, air assaults, medical evacuations, supply transport and hunting submarines.

This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, 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 aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.

As a member of the Navy, Allen is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“We have ships all around the world protecting international waters,” said Allen. “That presence lets our enemies know we are present and can take action whenever necessary.”

With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.

“Our mission remains timeless – to provide 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, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”

Allen and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is my 2017 deployment to Puerto Rico,” said Allen. “I was serving aboard USS Comfort when Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. We were transferring critical patients from hospitals that were losing power so the patients could receive the care they needed.”

As Allen and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means I am setting a good example for my three children,” said Allen. “It gives me a lot of pride that I continued a family tradition of serving.”

Allen is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my dad, Master Chief Wayne Allen because he is a recruiter and he helped me pick the right path in the Navy,” added Allen. “I also want to thank my wife, Jessica Allen, because she has been the rock for everything back home while I have been at sea.”