Daley

Talk about Jamaicans being everywhere!

Less than four years after graduating from the little-known May Day High School in Manchester, and just entering her 20s, Nasstacia Daley has assumed the position of aviation ordnanceman (AO) in the United States Navy.

Daley is one of about 16 Jamaicans working on board the multi-purpose assault ship, USS Wasp, that was anchored off the coast of Ocho Rios, St Ann, on November 19 and 20. The ship, which docked at the old Reynolds Pier, was laden with educational and medical supplies to aid local hospitals and other institutions.

"I build and assemble bombs and missiles and rockets. I work in the weapons department.

"I graduated (from May Day) in June 2005 and migrated December 24 that same year," she told The Gleaner. "This is my first trip back in three years. Actually, I just gained my citizenship."

Twice in the wasp

Daley, whose mom lives in Kingston, has been in the navy for approximately three years and has gone two years aboard the Wasp.

But why did she choose such an explosive career?

"I'm a person who doesn't like the sit-down, desk-job thing. That's not my type of thing. I'm more the adventurous type, I have to be on the go. It's physical work and I like physical things."

Trains personnel

Daley also trains personnel to shoot weapons such as the 9mm, M16, among others.

The job description of an AO includes stowing, assembling and loading aviation ammunition, including aerial mine torpedoes, missiles and rockets; servicing bombs, missile- and rocket-releasing and launching devices; and assembling, testing and maintaining air-launched guided missiles.

"It's just like a regular job, we're pretty much on call 24 hours," she explained matter-of-factly.