Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- A 2017 Academy of Our Lady of Guam graduate and Yona, Guam, native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.
Seaman Aubriaunnesherrell Esplana is a logistics specialist with the Gladiators of VFA 106, which operates out of Naval Air Station Oceana. A Navy logistics specialist is responsible for ordering and inventorying parts for the command, from aircraft wings to pencils.
Esplana credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Yona.
“Respect goes a long way there, and it goes a long way here,” said Esplana. “Keep yourself calm throughout the day too. It will be contagious.”
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.
Esplana 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, Esplana is most proud of taking over as the planned maintenance interval petty officer.
“It’s a big responsibility and takes a lot of organization,” said Esplana. “It’s very important to keep the aircraft in proper shape.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Esplana, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Esplana is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather and grandmother were in the Navy,” said Esplana. “My grandmother was a Navy nurse.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Esplana and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“In the Navy, you really make a big impact with little things you do on a day-to-day basis,” added Esplana. “You’re always in the mix, and you could be saving someone’s life.”
Esplana credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Yona.
“Respect goes a long way there, and it goes a long way here,” said Esplana. “Keep yourself calm throughout the day too. It will be contagious.”
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.
Esplana 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, Esplana is most proud of taking over as the planned maintenance interval petty officer.
“It’s a big responsibility and takes a lot of organization,” said Esplana. “It’s very important to keep the aircraft in proper shape.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Esplana, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Esplana is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather and grandmother were in the Navy,” said Esplana. “My grandmother was a Navy nurse.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Esplana and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“In the Navy, you really make a big impact with little things you do on a day-to-day basis,” added Esplana. “You’re always in the mix, and you could be saving someone’s life.”