By Petty Officer 3rd
Class Jamal McNeill, Navy Office of Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2013 Agape Christian Academy High School
graduate and Moore Haven, Florida native is serving in the U.S. Navy with
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126.
Seaman Guillermo Ortiz works with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
Squadron, VAW 126, also known as “Seahawks”, operating out of Norfolk,
Virginia.
He is responsible for maintenance, building and breakdown,
loading and unloading as well as storage of all ammunitions to support the
mission.
“I like that my job in the squadron allows me to accomplish
a variety of tasks and it gives me the feeling of knowing that I did my part,”
said Ortiz.
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.
“Our chain of command is great and they are really
interactive with the command and want to know what they can do to assist in
making the command climate great,” said Ortiz.
“The Navy is an opportunity to support my family and give
them an opportunity to become American citizens,” added Ortiz. “It is a blessing
to be able to protect and give the freedoms that this country has given to my
family.”
The Seahawks of VAW-126 are assigned to Carrier Air Wing
ONE.