By Petty Officer 3rd
Class Jamal McNeill, Navy Office of Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va. – A 1998 Elgin High School graduate and Elgin,
Illinois native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Carrier Airborne Early Warning
Squadron (VAW) 126.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Klaras works with the E-2D
Advanced Hawkeye Squadron, VAW 126, also known as “Seahawks”, operating out of
Norfolk, Virginia.
He is responsible for upkeep and maintenance of the building
and welfare, recreation and morale of the command.
“I enjoy my job because of the people I work with,” said
Klaras. “They make the job fun and push each other to work harder.”
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.
“This command is great because the people here help one
another reach our goals," said Klaras. "It’s a very motivational, family atmosphere."
“I take pride in serving my country,” added Klaras. “Only one percent serve in the military and it is great to experience living on a ship or working
on aircraft. These are things that most people will never experience.”
The Seahawks of VAW-126 are assigned to Carrier Air Wing
ONE.