OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Romero, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, joined the Navy for travel, educational opportunities and to move ahead in life.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emilia Hilliard |
“This command is a different version of the Navy,” said Romero. "There are a lot of benefits that come with serving here."
Romero, a 2009 graduate of South Hills High School, serves with VP-46, a high-tech maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadron tasked with monitoring the world’s oceans in the state-of-the-art P-8A “Poseidon.”
Romero is also currently enrolled at Tarrant County College seeking a degree in science and arts.
“I am responsible for electronics, communication, radar and other computer systems aboard the P-8,” said Romero.
Romero credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Fort Worth.
“My parents are pastors so we had all sorts of people coming into church,” said Romero. "So having that experience with diversity has only opened up more in the Navy."
VP-46'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.
“It's an amazing plane that practically flies itself,” said Romero. "All the capabilities that the plane has are really cool. It's new to the Navy and it's cool being the first ones to work on it."
Serving in the Navy means Romero 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, Romero is most proud of fulfilling obligations.
“Show up, do what you are supposed to and you will succeed,” said Romero. "I've been to nine countries which is pretty cool."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Romero 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 means that I have job security,” said Romero. "I never grew up thinking this is what I would do or be, but I get to be challenged and adapt every day."
“It's an amazing plane that practically flies itself,” said Romero. "All the capabilities that the plane has are really cool. It's new to the Navy and it's cool being the first ones to work on it."
Serving in the Navy means Romero 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, Romero is most proud of fulfilling obligations.
“Show up, do what you are supposed to and you will succeed,” said Romero. "I've been to nine countries which is pretty cool."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Romero 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 means that I have job security,” said Romero. "I never grew up thinking this is what I would do or be, but I get to be challenged and adapt every day."