Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
LEMOORE, Calif.- A 2011 Evergreen High School graduate and Vancouver, Washington, 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 Demetrius Rogers is an avionics technician with the Argonauts of VFA 147, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy avionics technician is responsible for fixing the communication systems on the aircraft.“My parents taught me patience and persistence,” Rogers said. “In the Navy, you deal with a lot of people from all walks of life. It takes a lot of patience to handle it without losing your temper. Also, things won't go the way you want the first time. But you've got to keep trying.”
Members of VFA 147 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.”
“My dad was in the Marines, and my stepdad was in the Air Force,” said Rogers. “My dad played a big part in me joining. I always considered it, but was not set on it. But if it wasn't for my dad I would not have joined at all.”
Rogers is also proud of receiving Argo of the Quarter in March for his work ethic. He also received a Navy Achievement Medal in November for doing a good job as part of the integrated weapons team in his command.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Rogers 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 pride and opportunity,” Rogers said. “In the day-to-day you get lost in the repetition but being in this organization has given me skills I can use in all walks of life should I decide to get out.”