By Kayla Good,
Navy Office of Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2014 Cleveland Hill High School
graduate and Cheektowaga, New York native is serving in the U.S.
Navy with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126.
Seaman Jeffrey Creighton works with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Squadron, VAW
126, also known as “Seahawks”, operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.
He
is responsible for maintaining the enviornmental control systems inside the E-2
Hawkeye which includes air conditioning and radar cooling.
“I like the people I work with,” said Creighton. “They
make it easier for learning situations. When times are tough, everyone helps
out to get the job done.”
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 asset!”
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.
“Everybody is happy here at this command,” said
Creighton. “Everyone has a can-do attitude.”
“Serving in the Navy means I get to make something of
myself,” added Creighton. “I get to support a cause that is bigger than myself.”
The Seahawks of VAW-126 are assigned to Carrier Air Wing
ONE.