By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson G. Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach
OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Sonya Krzycki, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, wanted something different in life.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emilia Hilliard |
“I wanted to do something that not everyone usually does, especially being from Nebraska,” said Krzycki. “I wanted something new for my life, and joining the Navy was a really good opportunity for me, especially to grow and find more about myself.”
Now, three years after joining the Navy, Krzycki serves with the “Golden Swordsmen” of VP-47, working with the Navy’s cutting-edge maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.
“Everyone has their strong points and weak points here, and it's good to know that so we can all come together and accomplish our mission,” said Krzycki.
Krzycki, a 2016 graduate of Millard West High School, is an aviation electrician's mate with VP-47, 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 work on electronic systems of the aircraft, and make sure they are working properly,” said Krzycki.
Krzycki credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Omaha.
“I learned the importance of understanding other people's viewpoints,” said Krzycki. “My parents really instilled that in me, and it's important in the Navy. We all come from different walks of life, and we all have to come together to accomplish the mission. It's also important to take other people's points of view into account.”
VP-47'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.
“What's interesting about the aircraft is that it's a modified airliner, and they took it and made it into a really capable weapons platform,” said Krzycki.
Serving in the Navy means Krzycki 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, Krzycki is most proud of advancing four paygrades in three years.
“It was very big for me because I spent a long time as an airman, but then took the opportunity to advance,” said Krzycki.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Krzycki 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 makes me thankful for what I have here,” said Krzycki. “Knowing that I did something different from other people is great. The self-discipline that I've learned has changed my life and really helped me grow into someone I like being.”
Now, three years after joining the Navy, Krzycki serves with the “Golden Swordsmen” of VP-47, working with the Navy’s cutting-edge maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.
“Everyone has their strong points and weak points here, and it's good to know that so we can all come together and accomplish our mission,” said Krzycki.
Krzycki, a 2016 graduate of Millard West High School, is an aviation electrician's mate with VP-47, 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 work on electronic systems of the aircraft, and make sure they are working properly,” said Krzycki.
Krzycki credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Omaha.
“I learned the importance of understanding other people's viewpoints,” said Krzycki. “My parents really instilled that in me, and it's important in the Navy. We all come from different walks of life, and we all have to come together to accomplish the mission. It's also important to take other people's points of view into account.”
VP-47'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.
“What's interesting about the aircraft is that it's a modified airliner, and they took it and made it into a really capable weapons platform,” said Krzycki.
Serving in the Navy means Krzycki 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, Krzycki is most proud of advancing four paygrades in three years.
“It was very big for me because I spent a long time as an airman, but then took the opportunity to advance,” said Krzycki.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Krzycki 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 makes me thankful for what I have here,” said Krzycki. “Knowing that I did something different from other people is great. The self-discipline that I've learned has changed my life and really helped me grow into someone I like being.”