By Kayla Good, Navy Office of
Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2009 Tri-City Christian School
graduate and Oceanside, California native is serving in the U.S.
Navy with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120 (VAW-120).
Petty Officer 3rd Class Marissa Erickson works with the E-2D Advanced
Hawkeye Squadron, also known as “Greyhawks”, operating out of Norfolk,
Virginia.
She
is responsible for the maintaining the aircraft, including the engines and
fuel systems.
“The best part of my job is the fact that I get to work
with good people,” said Erickson.
VAW 120’s primary mission is to fly and train naval
aviators, naval flight officers, and naval aircrewmen to safely and effectively
operate E-2 and C-2 aircraft, preparing them to join the fleet.
The training also includes the newest variant of the E-2D
aircraft platform, the Advanced Hawkeye, which serves as the most advanced
surveillance aircraft in the Navy. It
features a state of the art radar with more capability and upgraded aircraft
systems that will improve supportability and increase readiness.
“The Greyhawks of VAW-120
work diligently to accomplish the mission of the sole Fleet Replacement
Squadron for the E-2 and C-2 communities,” said Cmdr. Evan Morrison, Commanding
Officer VAW 120. “It is an honor to see the quality of production set forth by
my sailors, and to witness the development of the Navy’s future Airborne Early
Warning and Logistics leaders.”
With a crew of over 100 sailors, jobs
are highly specialized and keep each part of the Hawkeye running smoothly,
according to Navy officials. The jobs range from training the new
aviators, maintaining airframes and engines, processing paperwork, as well as
handling and flying the aircraft.
“I am fairly new to the command but I enjoy it so far,”
said Erickson. “The people are really nice and they try to make it as easy as
possible to transition into the command. The working hours are good, too!”
While on deployment, challenging living conditions build
strong fellowship among the crew, Navy officials explained. The crew is highly
motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of
specialized work, watches, and drills.
“Serving
in the Navy means I get to help people here and in other countries,” added
Erickson. “I am able to help our country with their mission of protecting
civilians and people overseas.”