By
Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 2005 Terra Linda
High School graduate and San Rafael,
California native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville,
the largest base in the Southeast Region and third largest in the nation.
Lt. j.g. Leonardo Arias is a pilot
serving with Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11.
As a pilot, Arias is responsible for ensuring safe flight operations and executing missions
effectively and efficiently.
“What I enjoy most about being a pilot
is flying different aircraft while serving my
country,” said Arias.
According to Navy officials, Wing 11’s history and
reputation remain unparalleled since being commissioned on August 15, 1942.
Throughout the decades, Wing 11 has continued to fly combat missions in direct support of
the troops on the ground and delivered
traditional maritime capabilities, real-time intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance.
Beginning in the
1960s, the P-3C Orion, a land-based, long-range anti-submarine warfare patrol
aircraft, replaced the P-2V Neptune fleet. After 50 years of faithful
service and the 50th anniversary of Maritime Patrol and
Reconnaissance Force, the P-3C Orion is being phased out of the fleet,
according to Navy officials.
The P-8A is a modified Boeing airframe
featuring a fully connected, state-of-the-art, open architecture mission system
designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, Navy officials
explained.
"The U.S. Navy sometimes asks the
impossible of our people. It is sailors that make the impossible possible,”
said Capt. Anthony Corapi, Commodore, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11. “Lt. j.g.
Arias is one example of a selfless servant of our nation. These heroes ask for very little recognition
and perform their daily job with pride and professionalism defending freedom
and our way of life around the world.
Each member of the Navy's combat team is crucial to our success. I am
very proud to have Lt. j.g. Arias on our
team!"
Arias
“I enjoy working at this command
because of the excellent camaraderie I have amongst
my fellow officers in the wardroom,” said Arias.
According to Navy officials, the Navy
continues to meet milestone after milestone on this world-class mission and is
providing an aircraft with superior capabilities to the men and women in
uniform that will have a lasting legacy promoting a global maritime strategy.
“Serving in the Navy I've learned discipline, teamwork and that hard work
definitely pays off in the end,” said Arias.
“Also, the morals, values and principles instilled in me by the Navy
continues to make me a better person."