By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach
OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Marina Haro, a native of Las Vegas, wanted structure, as well as educational benefits.
"My father was in the military,” said Haro. “I always thought it was really cool as a little girl, and I always knew I wanted to join."
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emilia Hilliard |
Now, five years after joining the Navy, Haro serves with the “Grey Knights” of VP-46, working with the Navy’s cutting-edge maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.
“There's a lot of camaraderie, and it's important to know your job and do it confidently,” said Haro. “It's like a second family. I've known some of my shipmates since I was 19, and we've all grown together.”
Haro is an aviation ordnanceman 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.”
“I make sure that all of the squadron's ordnance and weapon skids are operational, and ready to go,” said Haro. “I also make sure people have a plan for what they need to be doing.”
Haro credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Las Vegas.
“Small things can become big things if you dwell on them, but if you persevere and not let them let you down, you can do anything,” said Haro. “That has been important to me 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.
Haro is an aviation ordnanceman 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.”
“I make sure that all of the squadron's ordnance and weapon skids are operational, and ready to go,” said Haro. “I also make sure people have a plan for what they need to be doing.”
Haro credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Las Vegas.
“Small things can become big things if you dwell on them, but if you persevere and not let them let you down, you can do anything,” said Haro. “That has been important to me 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.
“Everything on this aircraft is simpler and better to work with,” said Haro. “The people here are also very welcoming. We're all working together to get this plane going.”
Serving in the Navy means Haro 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, Haro is most proud of being meritoriously promoted to petty officer 2nd class.
“I worked really hard to make rank, especially since I started my career as an E-2,” said Haro. “I felt really accomplished to earn the recognition of being promoted by my command.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Haro 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 important to me,” said Haro. “I reenlisted for five more years, since the Navy has brought so much opportunity for me. I didn't really have a plan for the future, but the Navy has given me the opportunity to make a better life. It teaches you so much more about yourself and your limits. It helps you find a strength within yourself too. If you do good with the time that you have, the Navy will give you a lot.”
“Everything on this aircraft is simpler and better to work with,” said Haro. “The people here are also very welcoming. We're all working together to get this plane going.”
Serving in the Navy means Haro 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, Haro is most proud of being meritoriously promoted to petty officer 2nd class.
“I worked really hard to make rank, especially since I started my career as an E-2,” said Haro. “I felt really accomplished to earn the recognition of being promoted by my command.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Haro 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 important to me,” said Haro. “I reenlisted for five more years, since the Navy has brought so much opportunity for me. I didn't really have a plan for the future, but the Navy has given me the opportunity to make a better life. It teaches you so much more about yourself and your limits. It helps you find a strength within yourself too. If you do good with the time that you have, the Navy will give you a lot.”