Local Navy officer, Lakewood grad Gosser part of Sapporo Snow Festival

Special to The Advocate
·3 min read

MILLINGTON, Tenn. ― A local graduate, now a Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, recently participated in the 73rd Sapporo Snow Festival in Sapporo, Japan.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Victoria Gosser, a native of Heath and a 2011 Lakewood graduate, was one of eight sailors selected to participate in the festival. They are assigned to the U.S. Naval Air Facility (NAF) in Misawa, Japan, and arrived on Jan. 28 to begin work on a Navy-themed snow statute for the festival. It was the 38th year of the Navy's participation.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Victoria Gosser, a Heath native and Lakewood graduate, serves at Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AID) Misawa (Japan) as an aviation support equipment technician. She is responsible for operating and maintaining all ground support equipment needed to fly naval aircraft.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Victoria Gosser, a Heath native and Lakewood graduate, serves at Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AID) Misawa (Japan) as an aviation support equipment technician. She is responsible for operating and maintaining all ground support equipment needed to fly naval aircraft.

The team was scheduled to complete the snow sculpture by Feb. 4, spending the remainder of their time in Sapporo participating in community relations projects and meeting and interacting with the visitors at Snow Festival this year.

More than two million visitors attend the Sapporo Snow Festival annually to marvel at the large snow statues built by teams from all over Japan and dozens of countries.

The sailors selected for the team were chosen because of their superior work performance and dedication to the U.S. Navy both on and off-duty. Many were also selected for awards such as “Sailor of the Year” at their respective commands.

Gosser joined the Navy over five years ago.

"I needed a decent paying job and my uncle, grandfather and father all served in the Navy," Gosser said in an article written by Rick Burke of the Naval Office of Community Outreach. "My father retired after 20 years, and no other branch crossed my mind."

Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Heath.

"I'm from Ohio, and learned how to drive in the snow and ice," said Gosser. "Being stationed in Misawa, this lesson came in handy."

Gosser serves at Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AID) Misawa as an aviation support equipment technician, responsible for operating and maintaining all ground support equipment needed to fly naval aircraft.

AID Misawa is a tenant command of NAF Misawa that provides intermediate maintenance level support for deployed aircraft, visiting Carrier Air Wings and Marine Air Groups.

NAF Misawa is tasked with providing aviation and ground logistic support and services to all permanent and transient USN and USMC forces in Northern Japan.

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 United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.

"Our mission remains timeless, to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Admiral Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."

As a member of the Navy, Gosser is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.

"The Navy contributes to national defense by being a show of force," said Gosser. "We are present all around the world, which helps our allies feel safe and keeps our adversaries in check."

Gosser has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest achievement has been reaching my goal to petty officer second class and helping other sailors," said Gosser.

As Gosser and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy has given me the chance to experience different cultures and go to school," said Gosser.

"Being on a ship has its pros and cons," added Gosser. "Most people talk about the cons, but the pros are a lot of fun. You get to travel the world and make the best of things however you can with people you become really close with. My best memories are from the ship."

This article was submitted by the U.S. Navy.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Local Navy officer, Lakewood grad Gosser part of Sapporo Snow Festival