(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2016 Oak Park High School graduate and Simi Valley, California, native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.
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| Photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward |
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jordan Vega credits much of their success from lessons they learned growing up in Simi Valley.
“I learned to always work hard and stay humble,” said Vega.
Vega is an aviation structural mechanic with the “Airwolves” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40, a Mayport, Florida based squadron that operates the Navy’s next generation submarine hunter and Anti-Surface Warfare helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk. Each helicopter is nearly 65 feet long, may weigh up to 23,500 lbs. (max gross) and can travel over 120 miles per hour for nearly 320 miles on a tank of gas.
As an aviation structural mechanic, Vega is responsible for helicopter mechanic structural and hydrualic components.
According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the most capable multi-mission helicopter available in the world today. It is used for a variety of missions, including hunting and tracking enemy submarines, attacking enemy ships, search and rescue, drug interdiction, delivering supplies and supporting the Navy’s special operations forces.
It is replacing the Navy’s older helicopters because of its greater versatility and more advanced weapon systems.
Vega is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.
“My great grandfather, and grandfather served,” said Vega. "Their service inspired me to continue the family tradition. My uncle is still serving."
Vega said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I am very proud of being able to graduate in all of my requirements and work on helicopters every day,” said Vega.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied within the squadron. Approximately 297 Navy men and women are assigned and keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly. This includes everything from maintaining helicopter airframes and engines, to processing paperwork, handling weapons and flying the aircraft.
Vega is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the 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.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon capital assets, Vega and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
Serving in the Navy, Vega is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“Being able to wake up each morning and put on my uniform each day, I get to go to work and do something that not many people get to do,” said Vega.
“I learned to always work hard and stay humble,” said Vega.
Vega is an aviation structural mechanic with the “Airwolves” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40, a Mayport, Florida based squadron that operates the Navy’s next generation submarine hunter and Anti-Surface Warfare helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk. Each helicopter is nearly 65 feet long, may weigh up to 23,500 lbs. (max gross) and can travel over 120 miles per hour for nearly 320 miles on a tank of gas.
As an aviation structural mechanic, Vega is responsible for helicopter mechanic structural and hydrualic components.
According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the most capable multi-mission helicopter available in the world today. It is used for a variety of missions, including hunting and tracking enemy submarines, attacking enemy ships, search and rescue, drug interdiction, delivering supplies and supporting the Navy’s special operations forces.
It is replacing the Navy’s older helicopters because of its greater versatility and more advanced weapon systems.
Vega is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.
“My great grandfather, and grandfather served,” said Vega. "Their service inspired me to continue the family tradition. My uncle is still serving."
Vega said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I am very proud of being able to graduate in all of my requirements and work on helicopters every day,” said Vega.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied within the squadron. Approximately 297 Navy men and women are assigned and keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly. This includes everything from maintaining helicopter airframes and engines, to processing paperwork, handling weapons and flying the aircraft.
Vega is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the 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.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon capital assets, Vega and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
Serving in the Navy, Vega is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“Being able to wake up each morning and put on my uniform each day, I get to go to work and do something that not many people get to do,” said Vega.