Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
LEMOORE, Calif.- A 2005 Wells High School graduate and Wells, Texas, native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.
Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Trapp is an aviation structural mechanic with the Warhawks of VFA 97, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy aviation structural mechanic is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the ejection seats and cockpit climate control. “I have learned to always be respectful,” Trapp said. “My dad always taught me to always know what you're doing and be as smart as you can be. It has helped me stay ahead of the game in the military.”
Members of VFA 97 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.”
Trapp has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My mother's father was in the Army, my father's father was a Marine in Vietnam and my mother's grandfather served during WWII,” said Trapp. “I always admired my mother's father, and he inspired me to join.”
Trapp is also proud of being selected as Senior Sailor of the Quarter this last quarter for being the leading petty officer and phase coordinator as well as serving six hours of community service.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Trapp 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 knowing that I am bettering myself and those I serve with who also serve my country,” Trapp said.
Trapp has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My mother's father was in the Army, my father's father was a Marine in Vietnam and my mother's grandfather served during WWII,” said Trapp. “I always admired my mother's father, and he inspired me to join.”
Trapp is also proud of being selected as Senior Sailor of the Quarter this last quarter for being the leading petty officer and phase coordinator as well as serving six hours of community service.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Trapp 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 knowing that I am bettering myself and those I serve with who also serve my country,” Trapp said.