Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
LEMOORE, Calif.- A 2006 Park City graduate and Park City, Utah, native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.
Lt. j.g. Casey Bywater is a pilot with the Flying Eagles of VFA 122, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy pilot is responsible for being trained to fly the F18 Super Hornet and tactically fly the F18 to fulfill the needs of the Navy.
“I have learned to have a sense of adventure, and I can fulfill that part with flying the Super Hornet,” Bywater said. “My parents also taught me great work ethic and taking care of the people around me.”
Members of VFA 122 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.”
Bywater has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather served in the Army during Korea, one of my cousins served as an Army medic and another cousin served in the Marine Corps,” said Bywater. “I've always wanted to serve and am very proud to wear the uniform. I am grateful to be able to do that.”
What Bywater likes most about this command is flying the jet.
“It is an amazing aircraft and has been a thrill,” said Bywater. “It has pushed me to be a better pilot and has been very rewarding to finally be able to fly the aircraft that I will fly in the fleet."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Bywater 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 being good at my job as well as a good pilot and sailor,” Bywater said. “It also means leading others and setting the example.”
LEMOORE, Calif.- A 2006 Park City graduate and Park City, Utah, native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.
“I have learned to have a sense of adventure, and I can fulfill that part with flying the Super Hornet,” Bywater said. “My parents also taught me great work ethic and taking care of the people around me.”
Members of VFA 122 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.”
Bywater has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather served in the Army during Korea, one of my cousins served as an Army medic and another cousin served in the Marine Corps,” said Bywater. “I've always wanted to serve and am very proud to wear the uniform. I am grateful to be able to do that.”
What Bywater likes most about this command is flying the jet.
“It is an amazing aircraft and has been a thrill,” said Bywater. “It has pushed me to be a better pilot and has been very rewarding to finally be able to fly the aircraft that I will fly in the fleet."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Bywater 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 being good at my job as well as a good pilot and sailor,” Bywater said. “It also means leading others and setting the example.”