By Kayla Good, Navy Office of
Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2015 Mount Caramel Academy
graduate and Garden Villas,
Texas native is serving in the
U.S. Navy with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120 (VAW-120).
Seaman Grant Young works with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Squadron, also
known as “Greyhawks”, operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.
He
is responsible for maintaining emergency ejection systems and enviornmental
control systems on the Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.
“I think this job is a great learning enviornment,”
said Young. “This is a great place to get started working in the aviation field
in the Navy. On shore duty, there isn't as much pressure like being on deployment.”
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 enjoying this command because I get to prepare
myself before going out to sea duty,” said Young. “I have two years to prepare
myself and I think I got pretty lucky to have this opportunity.”
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.
“To me,
serving in the Navy means I get to help my
country while imporving myself,” added Young.