Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
LEMOORE, Calif.- A 2007 Little Field High School graduate and Abilene, Texas, native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Devin Posey is an aviation ordnanceman with the Mighty Shrikes of VFA 94, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy aviation ordnanceman is responsible for the loading, maintaining and support of weapons and weapons systems of F/A 18 Super Hornets.“I have learned respect and proper etiquette,” Posey said. “It has helped me a lot in my military service.”
Members of VFA 94 work with the F/A 18 Super Hornet, one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. The Super Hornet takes off from and lands on Navy aircraft carriers at sea and is capable of conducting air-to-air combat as well as striking targets on land. It is approximately 61 feet long, has a loaded weight of 51,000 lbs., and a max speed of 1,190 miles per hour.
Operating from sea aboard aircraft carriers, the Super Hornet gives the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, at any time. The versatile jet has the ability to destroy targets located hundreds of miles inland, without the need to get another country’s permission to operate within its borders.
“Strike Fighter Wing, U. S. Pacific Fleet, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, is the heart of Naval Aviation,” said Capt. James S. Bates, Deputy Commodore, Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific. “The sailors assigned to SFWP always exceed expectations and produce amazing results through team work and dedication to their department, squadron, the U.S. Navy and their family. Naval Aviation is a challenging occupation, but our sailors work day in and day out to provide fully mission capable aircraft and fully qualified aircrew to ensure leadership is able to answer national level tasking. I am humbled to be able to lead the sailors of SFWP and I am proud to call Lemoore my home.”
Posey has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My brother is in the Air Force,” said Posey. “He took me to the recruiting offices.”
Posey is also proud of earning two Navy Achievement Medals in August and April for being the leading petty officer during deployments.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Posey and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means having more pride in myself,” Posey said.