Heading to a hot spot — NHS grad deployed overseas

Colter Overman, a 2007 graduate of Newcastle High School and now an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, Aircraft Handling, Petty Officer 1st Class (or ABH1), was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea on the USS Gerald R. Ford after the start of the Israel-Iran conflict 

Overman, who has been in the Navy 18 years, announced his deployment on June 18 when he shared a post on Facebook that the Norfolk-based USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was set to deploy the following week to Europe — near the Middle East. The post noted that the ship would be the third aircraft carrier near the conflict between Israel and Iran. 

“I got selected recently to go TAD (temporary assigned duty) on board the USS Gerald R. Ford to assist them while being deployed to the 6th Fleet AOR (Mediterranean Sea) where I’m currently assisting in the management and training of 96 sailors in aircraft handling and aircraft fire-fighting,” Overman told the News Letter Journal. “Right now our role out here from what we were told was to show presence and maintain waterways and always being ready to answer our nation’s call!”

Overman, who joined the U.S. Navy shortly after graduation, served on three previous deployments. His career in the Navy, he said, began when he left Newcastle on July 9, 2007, to go to the Denver Military Entrance Processing Station. He then flew out on July 10 and arrived at the Recruit Training Command Great Lakes in North Chicago, Illinois. 

“There I spent eight weeks learning basic seamanship, damage control (fire-fighting, flooding drills, etc.) and Navy history. I believe I graduated there around October 7, 2007,” Overman said. “After that I went to my “A” School in Pensacola, Florida, where I learned my rate (job) as an ABH (Aviation Boatswain Mate Handler), during that school I learned basic aircraft handling and aircraft fire-fighting skills.”

Following “A” School, he said he was off to his first command in Norfolk, Virginia, aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, Air Department, V-3 Division (Hungary Bay), which took him to the Middle East for the first time in his career. 

“I spent the next five years ( December 07-October 12), where I was deployed three times to the 5th Fleet AOR (area of responsibility–Persian gulf area). I was responsible for the safe and efficient movement of well over 7,000 Aircraft moves and 9,000 Aircraft elevator evolutions and led around 100 sailors in the management of 75,000 square feet of Hanger bay,” Overman said.

He picked up some additional training during that duty posting also. 

“On my last deployment I flew off early due to getting new orders to a New command NAS Whiting Field outside Pensacola, Florida, but prior to going to my new command I had to go through the Department of Defense fire academy at Good Fellow Air Force base in San Angelo, Texas, I spent four months there getting certified in numerous fire-fighting certifications.”

Upon graduation from the DOD academy, he said he went to the Naval Air Station Whiting Field where he spent three years (February 2013 to May 2016). 

“I would ultimately become a fire captain, get my EMT certification and was in charge of an airfield that was used to train the Navy’s newest helicopter and fixed-wing pilots.” Overman said. “While I was there on my off time, I volunteered at the local fire department to better the relationship between the community and the Navy.”

After completing three years of service at the NAS Whiting Field, he said he selected orders to the USS George Washington Air Department, V-3 division back in Norfolk. There he served from May 2016 to May 2021, in spite of the fact that he suffered a personal tragedy shortly after beginning this stint. 

“I checked on board around the 20th of May 2016, towards the end of that month we went under way for 2 weeks, and during that underway was when I got the worst news of my life and that when my mom had passed away June 1, 2016,” Overman said. “The Navy had me on a helicopter and off the ship a few hours later flying into Ft. Lauderdale where I got a plane back to Norfolk to head to Newcastle.”

Once he returned to duty in Norfolk, he said, they went into the ship yard for a complete overhaul of the reactor plants and refueling the reactor. 

His next posting would require a different set of skills, but Overman continued to excel.

“Once my time there was done I was selected for recruiting duty in Nashville TN (June 2021-August 2024). While recruiting I was recognized for different accomplishments like Nuke Force Recruiter of the Month, Recruiter of the Month, Nuke Recruiter of the Quarter and Top 10 Recruiter of the Year,” Overman said. 

After finishing his recruiting tour, Overman said, he selected orders back to Norfolk where he was stationed on board the Pre-Commissioning Unit John F. Kennedy. Here he is responsible for delivering the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier and second Ford Class Carrier to the fleet. The ship, Overman said, is being built by Newport News Ship Building.

At the end of that tour, Overman thinks he will finally be ready to step away from the service.

“All said and done I’ll have 22 years in when I retire, and I’m at 18 now, so I’ll just be turning 40!” Overman said.

He noted that he cannot wait to get home to his wife, Alexis, and four daughters (ages 11, 9, 7 and 4), all of whom love gymnastics and volleyball. 

“We love camping as a family and hope to do that when I get back home!” Overman said.