By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson G. Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach
OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Ethan Balog, a native of Fishers, Indiana, wanted a change in pace.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marc Cuenca |
Now, four years after joining the Navy, Balog serves with the “Screaming Eagles” of Maritime Patrol Squadron (VP) 1, working with the Navy’s cutting-edge maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.
“There's a lot of hours at this squadron, but there's definitely a sense of camaraderie here,” Balog said. “You're always teaching your replacement, so you're either learning something or teaching someone else about the job constantly.”
Balog, a 2012 graduate of Fishers High School, is an aviation electronics technician with VP-1, a high-tech maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadron tasked with monitoring the world’s oceans in the state-of-the-art P-8A “Poseidon.”
“I troubleshoot and fix aviation electronics on the aircraft, which includes communications and computer systems,” said Balog. “I make sure they work, and if they don't work, I fix them so they can continue their mission.”
Balog credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Fishers.
“I learned the Value of hard work growing up,” said Balog. “You get what you work for in the Navy, and that's something I first learned growing up in Indiana.”
VP-1's primary mission is to conduct maritime patrol and reconnaissance as well as long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence gathering missions. They deploy around the world to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
The P-8A Poseidon, the Navy’s newest maritime, patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, is a replacement aircraft for the legacy P-3C “Orion”. According to Navy officials, leveraging the experience and technology of the successful P-3C “Orion” with the needs of the fleet, the P-8A is designed to be combat-capable, and to improve an operator’s ability to efficiently conduct anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
As the Navy transitions to the full capacity with the P-8A “Poseidon”, the aircraft continues the work- horse tradition established by the P-3C “Orion”. The P-8A has a planned state-of-the-art open architecture mission system and next-generation sensors. These capabilities give warfighters added protection. The aircraft empowers the fleet with more combat capability, responsiveness, and interoperability with traditional manned forces and evolving unmanned sensors. The P-8A “Poseidon” has significant growth potential, with planned, phased-in technological improvements that extend global reach, payload capacity and higher-operating altitude.
“Working on the P-3 was cool because it was such a legacy aircraft that's still out there flying missions,” said Balog. “The transition to the P-8 has been interesting because we've all been learning the aircraft together. I like the puzzle aspect of figuring things out.”
Serving in the Navy means Balog 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, Balog is most proud of having a steady source of income and knowing he's good at his job.
“Knowing that there are people here that can help me out as well makes me very proud,” said Balog. “Not having to worry about my livelihood has been a great improvement for me.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Balog 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 gives me the opportunity to live a different life from what I'm used too,” said Balog. “I'm the third generation to serve in the Navy in my family, and it's been a stepping stone for a better life for me.”