Fort Lauderdale Sailor Supports U.S. Navy Fighter Jet Mission

“I was a cheerleader in high school,” Hostzclaw said. “Being part of a team and having people rely on you and working together for a common goal helped prepare me for the Navy and working with other sailors.”

Hostzclaw graduated from Dillard High School in 2024.

Hostzclaw joined the Navy two years ago.

“I joined the Navy to make my family proud,” Hostzclaw said. “I always knew I wanted to go into the medical field and wanted to go to college. The Navy lets me do both at the same time and is paying for my degree.”

Today, Hostzclaw serves as a corpsman assigned to Naval Medical Readiness Training Unit Fallon onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon.

The air station provides joint and allied nation rotational forces the unique opportunity to train in realistic combat scenarios while employing every element of an air carrier wing. It is the only facility in the world with this ability. The aircraft stationed at NAS Fallon support aircraft carrier missions around the world.

NAS Fallon is host to 21 tenant commands, including the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC). As the Navy’s premier tactical air warfare training center, NAWDC is home to multiple weapons training schools, including TOPGUN. In 1969, TOPGUN was introduced with the mission of reducing casualties of naval aviators sustained during the Vietnam War. Within a year, this goal was reached with the United States having one casualty for every 12 enemy deaths. Since then, TOPGUN has continued to train the finest naval aviators and has inspired two blockbuster movies, one released in 1986 and its sequel released in 2022.

Carrier strike groups and the embarked aviation squadrons are the cornerstone of U.S. naval power projection and sea power. They can quickly maneuver thousands of miles with the world’s most capable warships and top-notch sailors, remaining on station in areas of interest without relying on land bases or overflight agreements. U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are the most adaptable, lethal, and survivable airfields in the world and their presence serves as the most credible commitment to our allies and partners.

Naval aviation provides the Navy and our nation with a flexible, adaptable and lethal force to preserve peace, respond in crises and win decisively in combat. The U.S. Navy maintains and operates more than 2,000 aircraft to fulfill various mission sets in order to preserve the American way of life and ensure freedom, security and prosperity.

With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Hostzclaw has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I am very proud to say that I made it through boot camp and am now out in the fleet,” Hostzclaw said. “I would have never thought I would have made it through and been this far away from my family and still be able to learn and accomplish so much.”

Hostzclaw serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/

“Serving in the Navy means being able to give back to my community, my country and my fellow sailors,” Hostzclaw said. “I really enjoy working in my rate, working with my patients and being able to support and comfort them in their time of need. Being able to follow up with them and see their progression makes me feel great.”

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

“I would like to thank my mom and my grandpa for always being there,” Hostzclaw said. “After a long day, having family back home to talk to makes it all worth it.”