Thursday, May 31, 2018

Mission Native serves with Navy Strike Fighter Squadron

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Electa Berassa, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller

LEMOORE, Calif.- A 2016 Juarez Lincoln High School graduate and Mission, 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 3rd Class Jiselle Acosta is an aviation structural mechanic with the Fighting Redhawks of VFA 22, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy aviation structural mechanic is responsible for repair and maintenance of the panels and the tires of the aircraft.

“I have learned a lot about hard work,” Acosta said. “I was able to get all of my qualifications done really fast. It helps me to do my job better.”

Members of VFA 22 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.”

Acosta has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.

“My brother is in the Army,” said Acosta. “I found myself always following in his steps.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Acosta 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 making my mother and little brother proud,” Acosta said. “I am very proud to serve.”