Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- A 2003 Satsuma High School graduate and Saraland, Alabama, 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 John Holley is an aviation electrician’s mate with the Gladiators of VFA 106, which operates out of Naval Air Station Oceana. A Navy aviation electrician’s mate is responsible for maintaining lighting, flight control systems and landing gears to ensure everything is operational.
Holley credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Saraland.
“Where I am from there are a lot of factory workers that work long days, so I really learned the importance of hard work,” said Holley. “It's helped me prepare for the long days we have in the Navy.”
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.
Holley 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, Holley is most proud of marching in the 100th commemoration of the Bastille Day Parade during deployment in 2017.
“There was only two people on the ship selected, one from aviation and one on the ship side,” said Holley. “There were only 22 total in the Navy and 90 in the military as a whole.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Holley, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Holley is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My father was in the Air Force and my grandfather was in the Air Force,” said Holley. “My dad was extremely proud of me when I joined because he knew I would get a lot out of it.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Holley 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 a lot of hard work, long hours and time away from family,” added Holley. “I’ve been to ten countries but I get joy and satisfaction out of my job. I have made good friends and family. I have been able to experience things you can't really get from civilian jobs.”
Holley credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Saraland.
“Where I am from there are a lot of factory workers that work long days, so I really learned the importance of hard work,” said Holley. “It's helped me prepare for the long days we have in the Navy.”
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.
Holley 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, Holley is most proud of marching in the 100th commemoration of the Bastille Day Parade during deployment in 2017.
“There was only two people on the ship selected, one from aviation and one on the ship side,” said Holley. “There were only 22 total in the Navy and 90 in the military as a whole.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Holley, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Holley is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My father was in the Air Force and my grandfather was in the Air Force,” said Holley. “My dad was extremely proud of me when I joined because he knew I would get a lot out of it.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Holley 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 a lot of hard work, long hours and time away from family,” added Holley. “I’ve been to ten countries but I get joy and satisfaction out of my job. I have made good friends and family. I have been able to experience things you can't really get from civilian jobs.”