By Kayla Good,
Navy Office of Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2001 Whitney
M. Young Magnet High School graduate and Chicago
native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron
(VAW) 126.
Lt. Cmdr. Jessica Barrientos
works with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Squadron, VAW 126, also known as
“Seahawks”, operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.
She
is the administrative officer responsible for the administrative department which ensures sailors get paid, offers
career counseling, manages travel arrangements and other human resource
operations.
“I love flying,” said Barrientos. “Flight school and test
pilot school tiaght methe physics and aerodynamics of flying, but it remains a
magical experience to me. I also love the sense of adventure that the Navy
offers. I might be in Fallon, Nevada one day or flying off of a carrier another
or flying over Niagara Falls or touring London for a port visit. I really can't
believe I get paid to fly and go to other places for a living. I love that the
Navy has exposed me to so many diverse cultures including the regional
diversity found in the United States and that found in a completely different
country.”
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.
“The
E-2 community is small and our squadrons even smaller,” said Barrientos. “There
are fewer people in the squadron than in my high school graduating class. You
get to know everyone on a personal level and it really helps build that family
feeling.”
“I love
being a part of something greater than myself and proud to be part of the small
minority of Americans who choose to serve,” added Barrientos.
The Seahawks of VAW-126 are assigned to Carrier Air Wing
ONE.