Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
LEMOORE, Calif.- A 2006 Monte Vista High School graduate and Danville, California, 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 Colby James Watson is a logistics specialist with the Golden Dragons of VFA 192, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy logistics specialist is responsible for providing all the parts for the aircraft. “I have learned discipline,” Watson said. “My parents were kind of strict, but it allowed me to be able to follow orders and get things done when they need to be done.”
Members of VFA 192 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.”
Watson has military ties with family members who serve and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My brother-in-law is in the Navy,” said Watson. “He talked me into it by describing all the good things about serving.”
Watson is also proud of earning the Navy Achievement Medal last month for being the expeditor for the squadrons.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Watson 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 a lot,” Watson said. “I am able to give back to the country.”
Watson has military ties with family members who serve and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My brother-in-law is in the Navy,” said Watson. “He talked me into it by describing all the good things about serving.”
Watson is also proud of earning the Navy Achievement Medal last month for being the expeditor for the squadrons.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Watson 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 a lot,” Watson said. “I am able to give back to the country.”