OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Chief Petty Officer Jesus Perales, a native of Oxnard, California, joined the Navy for educational and professional opportunities.
Now, 15 years after joining the Navy, Perales serves with the “World Watchers” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 1, working with the Navy’s premier intelligence-gathering aircraft at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.
“Life at the command is very fast paced and engaging,” said Perales. "We have to work as a team to accomplish our mission. Communication is key when it comes to the planning of flights, completion of maintenance, and accomplishment of our daily mission at home and while deployed abroad."
Perales, a 2004 graduate of Pacifica High School, is a aviation electronics technician with VQ-1, a state-of-the-art intelligence-gathering squadron flying the EP-3 “Aires,” a variant of the venerable P-3C “Orion.”
Perales is also a 2017 graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in professional aeronautics.
“I am responsible for the operation, troubleshooting, and repair of aviation electronics systems,” said Perales.
Perales credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Oxnard.
“I grew up around many migrant families including mine, who all strived to achieve the American dream,” said Perales. "There's no better feeling then making your community, those who supported you through your youth, and those who helped get you to where you're at today, proud."
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 Perales 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, Perales is most proud of earning the rank of chief petty officer.
“It took years of failures that led to future successes in leading sailors, training and achieving qualifications, and lots of great mentoring from those who train us to become the Navy's future replacements,” said Perales. "I am humbled to have been promoted to chief petty officer and honor those who came before me, serve with me and will serve in the future."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Perales 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 achieving my dreams and providing a better future for my family,” said Perales. "I've traveled the world many times over and visited a lot of amazing countries. I've met a lot of great people who are now lifelong friends. I have been able to afford better opportunities for my sons, opportunities that I did not have growing up such as, GI Bill, medical care and other programs."
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emilia Hilliard |
“Life at the command is very fast paced and engaging,” said Perales. "We have to work as a team to accomplish our mission. Communication is key when it comes to the planning of flights, completion of maintenance, and accomplishment of our daily mission at home and while deployed abroad."
Perales, a 2004 graduate of Pacifica High School, is a aviation electronics technician with VQ-1, a state-of-the-art intelligence-gathering squadron flying the EP-3 “Aires,” a variant of the venerable P-3C “Orion.”
Perales is also a 2017 graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in professional aeronautics.
“I am responsible for the operation, troubleshooting, and repair of aviation electronics systems,” said Perales.
Perales credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Oxnard.
“I grew up around many migrant families including mine, who all strived to achieve the American dream,” said Perales. "There's no better feeling then making your community, those who supported you through your youth, and those who helped get you to where you're at today, proud."
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 Perales 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, Perales is most proud of earning the rank of chief petty officer.
“It took years of failures that led to future successes in leading sailors, training and achieving qualifications, and lots of great mentoring from those who train us to become the Navy's future replacements,” said Perales. "I am humbled to have been promoted to chief petty officer and honor those who came before me, serve with me and will serve in the future."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Perales 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 achieving my dreams and providing a better future for my family,” said Perales. "I've traveled the world many times over and visited a lot of amazing countries. I've met a lot of great people who are now lifelong friends. I have been able to afford better opportunities for my sons, opportunities that I did not have growing up such as, GI Bill, medical care and other programs."