By Kayla Good,
Navy Office of Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2015 Cypress Creek High School
graduate and Cypress, Texas native is serving in the U.S. Navy
with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126.
Seaman Demetrius Jackson works with the E-2D Advanced
Hawkeye Squadron, VAW 126, also known as “Seahawks”, operating out of Norfolk,
Virginia.
He
is responsible for overall safety of the Advanced
Hawkeye aircraft.
“I like
performing the hand signals to ensure that the pilots are following safety
procedures properly,” said Jackson. “It’s also like I have my own swag that
goes with the job.”
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.
“I
enjoy the enthusiastic atmosphere of the command
because it helps me want to come to work every day,” said Jackson.
“Serving
in the Navy means that everyone is working as a
team to accomplish a mission for our country,” added Jackson.
The Seahawks of VAW-126 are assigned to Carrier Air Wing
ONE.