Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- A 2010 Kempsville High School, in Virginia, graduate and Davenport, Iowa, native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Katelyn Shannon 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 maintaining the displays, computer and weapons systems for the aircraft.
Shannon credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Davenport.
“I have made punctuality a habit in my Navy career,” said Shannon. “I also will not let anyone stop me from doing what I need to do to be successful.”
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.
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.
Shannon 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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Shannon is most proud of making second class petty officer in four years.
“At that point in my career, I was following right along with how my great great uncle was in his career,” said Shannon. “It put me one step closer to out ranking him at some point.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Shannon, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Shannon is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“I knew I wanted to be in the military but it was my uncle that really influenced my choice in the Navy,” said Shannon.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Shannon and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy is something for me to be proud of,” added Shannon. “Hopefully when my daughter is old enough she will understand that it is something for her to be proud of. I can't think of what I would be doing with life now if I hadn’t joined.”
A Navy aviation electronics technician is responsible for maintaining the displays, computer and weapons systems for the aircraft.
Shannon credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Davenport.
“I have made punctuality a habit in my Navy career,” said Shannon. “I also will not let anyone stop me from doing what I need to do to be successful.”
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.
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.
Shannon 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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Shannon is most proud of making second class petty officer in four years.
“At that point in my career, I was following right along with how my great great uncle was in his career,” said Shannon. “It put me one step closer to out ranking him at some point.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Shannon, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Shannon is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“I knew I wanted to be in the military but it was my uncle that really influenced my choice in the Navy,” said Shannon.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Shannon and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy is something for me to be proud of,” added Shannon. “Hopefully when my daughter is old enough she will understand that it is something for her to be proud of. I can't think of what I would be doing with life now if I hadn’t joined.”