CNY native participates in bilateral exercise in Japan

Petty Officer 1st Class Michelle Gladle, a native of Central New York, recently participated in Exercise Keen Edge 2024 while serving the U.S. Navy in Japan. Gladle graduated from Paul V. Moore High School in Central Square in 2002. The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Central New York “Growing up, learned to continue to have integrity, especially when no one is looking,” says Gladle. She joined the Navy 20 years ago. Today, Gladle serves as an operations specialist. “I joined the Navy because I wanted to do something big for my country,” says Gladle. “I watched 9/11 happen in my business class in high school and wanted to do something huge, especially coming from a large military family.” Keen Edge is a bilateral command post exercise conducted by the U.S. military and Japan’s Self Defense Forces, with participation from the Australian Defence Force. The exercise ran from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7 and is the latest in a series of joint command post exercises designed to increase the integrated joint operational capability, refine command and control procedures and enhance cooperation between the participating nations. “Our sailors benefit greatly from training opportunities such as Exercise Keen Edge to develop our skills, build relationships, and enhance our warfighting readiness,” says Capt. Norman Beznoska, U.S. Forces Japan Navy Reserve Unit commanding officer. “As this exercise demonstrates, we can quickly augment the active-duty staff in Japan and support our counterparts in both day-to-day activities of the command and in times of crisis.” 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 U.S. is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America. Gladle serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security. “We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” says Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.” Gladle has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service. “I am most proud of my time in service providing support to U.S. Forces Japan at Yokota Air Force Base in Japan, as well as the time I spent at Combined Joint Task Force — Horn of Africa in Djibouti Africa,” says Gladle. She can take pride in serving America through military service. “Serving in the Navy means everything to me,” says Gladle.