Apr 5

Apr 5 Saluting Our Troops: Lt. Kira Devers-Jones Gets To Steppin'

U.S. Navy Lt. Kira Devers-Jones (left) and U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Allison Adamos (right) learn the steps to a traditional Malaysian dance from a student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan. PHOTO: COURTESY U.S. NAVY

U.S. Navy’s Prince George’s Native Takes Part In Humanitarian Effort

Lt. Kira Devers-Jones, an Accokeek, Maryland native, is participating in Pacific Partnership, the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific region.

As a member of the Pacific Partnership 2019 team, Devers-Jones is one of more than 500 U.S. service members, volunteers and partner nation personnel taking part in a variety of projects including medical training, veterinary services, engineering projects, disaster response scenarios, and a variety of community outreach engagements.

Pacific Partnership - now in it’s 14th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Its mission is to work collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities and foster new and enduring friendships across the Indo-Pacific region.

Lt. Devers-Jones earned a Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics from the United States Naval Academy. She received her commission in May 2009 and was designated a naval aviator in July 2011. She is currently working on her Master of Science in Space Studies at the University of North Dakota.

Lt. Devers-Jones’ first operational assignment was to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron FOUR EIGHT in Mayport, Florida as an SH-60B pilot. While there she deployed aboard USS Nicholas (FFG-47) in support of anti-piracy operations and USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) in support of anti-terrorism operations. Her jobs included Naval Warfare Publications Library Officer, Detachment Administrative Officer and Detachment Maintenance Officer.

“One of my favorite things about Pacific Partnership is seeing people from all different backgrounds and cultures coming together,” said Devers-Jones. “We have so much in common and we have so much to share.”