Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
LEMOORE, Calif.- A 2007 Elsinore High School graduate and Lake Elsinore, 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 Joseph Miranda is an aviation structural mechanic with the Stingers of VFA 113, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy aviation structural mechanic is responsible for maintaining aircraft hydraulics systems and all moveable surfaces of the structure of the aircraft.“Growing up, I was taught that if you had something set out for your future, you should really go for it,” Miranda said. “A lot of people in my high school followed their dreams and that was an inspiration for me to follow mine.”
Members of VFA 113 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.”
Miranda has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My younger brother is a second class in the Navy and my grandfather served in the Marines and Army,” said Miranda. “I influenced my brother to join. I always wanted to join the military as a kid and he saw what I was doing to make that happen.”
Miranda is also proud of getting advanced to third class petty officer while serving with the squadron.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Miranda 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 the country a little safer for my family and friends back home,” Miranda said.