By Petty Officer 3rd
Class Jamal McNeill, Navy Office of Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2012 Edgewood High School graduate and
Ashtabula, Ohio native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Carrier Airborne Early
Warning Squadron (VAW) 126.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabriel Saba works with the E-2D
Advanced Hawkeye Squadron, VAW 126, also known as “Seahawks”, operating out of
Norfolk, Virginia.
He is responsible for the logistics of financing and
ordering of parts for the entire command.
“My job is interesting, it is amazing to see how the Navy
works on the logistical side from finance, ordering parts and how everything
comes together,” said Saba.
The primary mission of VAW-126 is to provide mission-ready
and combat-ready E-2D aircraft and capable aircrew wherever needed, on time,
and safely.
As the newest variant of the E-2 aircraft platform, the E-2D
Advanced Hawkeye serves as the most advanced command and control aircraft in
the Navy and features a state-of the-art radar with more capabilities and
upgraded aircraft systems that improves the combat effectiveness of a carrier
air wing and carrier strike group..
In addition to airborne early warning mission, the E-2D
provides a variety of capabilities to the carrier strike group, including
search and rescue operations, data link, communications relay, strike control,
close air support coordination, and drug interdiction.
”The sailors of VAW-126 are integral to
the successful employment of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye,” said Cmdr. Scott
Wastak, Commanding Officer VAW-126. “Without their meticulous attention to
detail and dedication to the mission, the Hawkeye would be unable to perform
its mission and meet our nation’s call to duty.
Our sailors are truly our most valuable assets!”
With a crew of nearly 150 sailors, jobs
are highly specialized and designed to keep each part of the Hawkeye running
smoothly. Whether training new aviators,
maintaining airframes and engines, processing paperwork, or handling and flying
the aircraft, the key to success is teamwork.
“We are pretty cohesive at this command,” said Saba. “There
is a lot of talented people here that do their job well.”
“I like representing our country,” added Saba. “Serving gives
me the opportunity to do that and I get a sense of pride knowing that I am
doing my part.”
The Seahawks of VAW-126 are assigned to Carrier Air Wing
ONE.