Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- A 2005 Belton High School graduate and Belton, 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 3rd Class Alex Nichols is an aviation electronics technician with the Gladiators of VFA 106, which operates out of Naval Air Station Oceana.
A Navy aviation electronics technician is responsible for ensuring the Super Hornets are operational by working on electronics in the cockpit.
Nichols credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Belton.
“My dad retired from the Army, so he really showed me work discipline,” said Nichols. “You have to have the ability to do your job. You should want to work. I see younger people that don't have that same motivation to work hard.”
Members of VFA 106 fly and maintain 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 pounds, 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. Super Hornets are an all-weather aircraft used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for interdiction and air support.
“The detachments we get to go on are really fun,” said Nichols. “I was stationed on a ship before I came here where we traveled more abroad. The types of missions we are able to do here allows me to travel more around the United States.”
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Nichols is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Nichols, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Nichols is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandpa also served in the Army and received a Purple Heart during Vietnam,” said Nichols. “My dad really influenced me to join the military. He knew that working on aircraft would give me skills for the civilian world.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Nichols and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Being able to serve in the Navy and work on these jets means I am doing my part, which helps the nation maintain balance,” added Nichols.
A Navy aviation electronics technician is responsible for ensuring the Super Hornets are operational by working on electronics in the cockpit.
Nichols credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Belton.
“My dad retired from the Army, so he really showed me work discipline,” said Nichols. “You have to have the ability to do your job. You should want to work. I see younger people that don't have that same motivation to work hard.”
Members of VFA 106 fly and maintain 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 pounds, 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. Super Hornets are an all-weather aircraft used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for interdiction and air support.
“The detachments we get to go on are really fun,” said Nichols. “I was stationed on a ship before I came here where we traveled more abroad. The types of missions we are able to do here allows me to travel more around the United States.”
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Nichols is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Nichols, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Nichols is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandpa also served in the Army and received a Purple Heart during Vietnam,” said Nichols. “My dad really influenced me to join the military. He knew that working on aircraft would give me skills for the civilian world.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Nichols and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Being able to serve in the Navy and work on these jets means I am doing my part, which helps the nation maintain balance,” added Nichols.