TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Otisa Williams serves as a U.S. Navy aviation structural mechanic with the Strategic Communications Wing One.

Williams’ work supports the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission. Strategic Communications Wing One is a versatile command capable of consisting of three Navy squadrons and a Wing staff.

Their work employs more than 1,700 active duty sailors and 100 contractors to provide maintenance, security, operations, administration, training and logistic support for the E-6B Mercury aircraft fleet.

In her duties, Williams is responsible for maintaining the hydraulics and structural integrity of the aircraft.

The mission stems from the original 1961 Cold War order known as “Take Charge and Move Out!” Adapted as the acronym TACAMO and now the command’s nickname, today the men and women of TACAMO continue to provide a survivable communication link between national decision makers and the nation’s nuclear weapons.

The commander-in-chief issues orders to members of the military who operate nuclear weapons aboard submarines, aircraft or in land-based missile silos. Sailors aboard TACAMO E-6 Mercury aircraft provide the one-of-a-kind and most survivable communication needed for this critical mission.

Williams graduated from Tanner High School in 2012. Growing up in Tanner gave her some values that she credits for ccess in the Navy.

“I learned to be very respectful of other people (in Tanner) and to always be yourself,” Williams said. “My favorite thing about this command is the people I work with. It’s like a family.”

The Navy’s presence at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma in the middle of America may seem like an odd location, given its distance from any ocean. However, the central location allows for the deployment of aircraft to both coasts and the Gulf of Mexico on a moment’s notice.

“It’s a privilege, because not everyone can do this job,” Williams said. “It is a wonderful opportunity that has taught me so many lessons about life.”

The Navy Office of Community Outreach or NAVCO produced this information and photographs. Employees in the outreach office travel the globe to collect and distribute photos to their hometown media.

Lt. Cmdr. Gustav Hein documented Williams’ work.

The Media Outreach Department with the Navy Office of Community Outreach is located in Millington, Tenn. For more information, visit outreach.navy.mil, Facebook/Navy Outreach, Twitter @NavyOutreach or Instagram @US_Navy_Outreach.