OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Dominic Walker, a native of Deland, Florida, wanted the opportunity to work for something bigger than himself.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emilia Hilliard |
“I'm pretty new to this squadron, but everyone has gone above and beyond to set me up for success here, and everyone's open to questions,” said Walker.
Walker, a 2015 graduate of Deland High School, is a naval aircrewman with VQ-1, a state-of-the-art intelligence-gathering squadron flying the EP-3 “Aires,” a variant of the venerable P-3C “Orion.”
“We work with equipment onboard the aircraft during flight, and operate them to complete the missions,” said Walker.
Walker credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Deland.
“Deland is a small town, so you never know who you're going to run into later,” said Walker. “That small town mentality also applies here in the Navy, so it's important to be personable and treat people with respect.”
Members of VQ-1 conduct reconnaissance as well as intelligence-gathering missions. They deploy around the world to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
The EP-3 “Aires” is a land-based, long-range, signals intelligence-gathering aircraft. It is a variant of the P-3C “Orion,” which has been in operation since the 1960s. They are still in service and performing missions all over the world.
Serving in the Navy means Walker is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, 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.
“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, Walker is most proud of being able to fly in his aircraft for the first time.
“A lot of people drop out of the aircrew pipeline, and the training process takes a long time,” said Walker. “Being able to see the end result of all of that training made me very proud.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Walker and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy is an opportunity to work for something greater than you are,” said Walker. “A bunch of people come together here to achieve something massive, and I'm proud to be a part of that.”