By Petty Officer 3rd
Class, Navy Office of Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2010 Bay High School graduate and Bay St.
Louis, Mississippi native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Carrier Airborne
Early Warning Squadron 120 (VAW-120).
Petty Officer 3rd Class Brett Womack works with the E-2D
Advanced Hawkeye Squadron, also known as “Greyhawks”, operating out of Norfolk,
Virginia.
He is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of 95 percent of
the systems on the aircraft including hydraulics, framework and tire work.
“I enjoy that my job is hands on," said Womack. "It gives me a sense of
accomplishment to see the completion of the work I had a part in."
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.
“The relationships that I built at this command are
impactful,” said Womack. “I am meeting new people and the relationships that we
build will last a lifetime.”
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 gives me a sense of pride,” said
Womack. “I feel that I am doing my part in protecting this country, the
American people and my loved ones.”