Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
LEMOORE, Calif.- A 2012 Iroquois High School graduate and East Aurora, New York, 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 Chad Kapturowski is an aircrew survival equipmentman with the Sidewinders of VFA 86, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy aircrew survival equipmentman is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of 15 sets of aircraft gear. “I was taught to be a nice person,” Kapturowski said. “That makes it a lot easier to ask for things. You get a lot more accomplished in the Navy by being respectful.”
Members of VFA 86 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.”
“I always knew I want to join the military,” said Kapturowski. “So, I just went and did it. I like the Navy as a whole.”
Kapturowski is also proud of his command.
“I like the people at my command, said Kapturowski. “They know what they are doing and how to get things done.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Kapturowski and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I know my parents and my uncle support my decision to serve,” Kapturowski said.
“I always knew I want to join the military,” said Kapturowski. “So, I just went and did it. I like the Navy as a whole.”
Kapturowski is also proud of his command.
“I like the people at my command, said Kapturowski. “They know what they are doing and how to get things done.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Kapturowski and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I know my parents and my uncle support my decision to serve,” Kapturowski said.