Ashwaubenon Native Rigoberto Sandoval Serving aboard USS Gridley

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Colby A. Mothershead)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 31, 2022) Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Rigoberto Sandoval, from Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, stands as a safety observer while an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the “Raptors” of helicopter maritime strike squadron (HSM) 71, prepares to take off during flight operations aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101).

Sandoval and the USS Gridley are on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.