By Kayla Good, Navy Office of
Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2003 Bayside High School
graduate and Palm Bay, Florida native is serving in the U.S.
Navy with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120 (VAW-120).
Seaman Brian Fleitas works with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Squadron, also
known as “Greyhawks”, operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.
He
is responsible for the maintenance of the
Advanced Hawkeye, including the hydraulic systems, brakes, fuel systems and
landing gears.
“I am still fairly new to this job but I like learning
about the maintenance and working with my hands,” said Fleitas. “You get a
sense of pride when you replace major components of the aircraft and see it
take off and work properly.”
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.
“We have about 11 aircraft that we are responsible for
at this squadron,” said Fleitas. “We are constantly busy which helps the day go
by and gives me an opportunity to learn.”
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.
“For
me, serving in the Navy is a sense of pride,” added Fleitas. “My parents are
Cuban immigrants and by serving I am able to give back to the country that let
us come in and become citizens. There is a lot of history in the Navy, dating
back 241 years. It is such an honor to be a part of it.”