CHINA LAKE, Calif. – Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Goble, a native of Reno, Nevada, plays a key role in supporting the Navy's research, testing and evaluation of cutting-edge weapons systems for today’s sailors.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bradley Gee |
Goble is an aviation electronics technician serving at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, known as “Secret City.”
“A vast weapons testing and training range operated by the U.S. Navy in California's Mojave Desert, this location is where military and civilian personnel developed or tested nearly every significant airborne weapon system since 1943,” said NAWS China Lake public affairs officer, Margo Allen.
As a Navy aviation electronics technician, Goble is responsible for all avionics systems on the F-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft, to include radar, navigation, communication, weapons and targeting systems.
“What I enjoy most about my job is being able to be involved in the most up-to-date technology in aviation,” Goble said.
Goble is a 2003 ICDA Charter High School graduate. According to Goble, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Reno.
“My family raised me with a strong work ethic and I've been able to apply that into my military life, which has helped me excel to where I am today,” Goble said.
NAWS China Lake is located in the Western Mojave Desert region of California, approximately 150 miles north of Los Angeles. The installation is the Navy's largest single piece of real estate, representing 85 percent of the Navy’s land for Research, Development, Acquisition, Test and Evaluation (RDAT&E) use and 38 percent of the Navy’s land holdings worldwide. In total, its two ranges and main site cover more than 1.1 million acres, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.
Operating a facility as large as China Lake is a monumental task, considering 19,600 square miles of restricted and controlled airspace makes up 12 percent of California's total airspace. Compounding the challenge is the diverse nature of the operations that includes weapons testing and evaluation in air and ground ranges, research and development in highly sophisticated laboratories, and numerous science and technology projects ranging from sensors to chemical and material systems.
The workforce at China Lake is a combination of military, civilians and contractors employed across many different commands focused on researching and evaluating cutting edge technological systems, and training of Navy personnel preparing for combat in areas around the world.
China Lake and the men and women who serve there play a key role in the Navy’s broader mission of protecting American interests on the world’s oceans.
According to Navy officials, maintaining maritime superiority is a vital part of a Navy that is present today and prepared for tomorrow. The impact affects Americans and their interests around the world, as more than 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water and 90 percent of all trade travels by sea.
The foundation of the Navy the nation needs includes a focus on warfighting, warfighters and the future of the fighting force.
“I am confident that we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “We will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in a command, community and career, Goble is most proud of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal received while serving abroad in Japan.
“It was the most challenging yet rewarding time in my military career,” Goble said. “From the three years serving, I spent half of the time deployed as quality assurance and learned more in that timeframe than I learned in my entire career,” Goble said.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Goble, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Goble is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather served in the Army as an infantryman in the Korean War and I'm proud to be the first member of our family to serve in the Navy, as I’m still carrying the family torch serving our country,” Goble said.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Goble, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“Besides being proud of my professional accomplishments, serving in the Navy has allowed me and my family a stable lifestyle without any financial worries,” Goble said.
“A vast weapons testing and training range operated by the U.S. Navy in California's Mojave Desert, this location is where military and civilian personnel developed or tested nearly every significant airborne weapon system since 1943,” said NAWS China Lake public affairs officer, Margo Allen.
As a Navy aviation electronics technician, Goble is responsible for all avionics systems on the F-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft, to include radar, navigation, communication, weapons and targeting systems.
“What I enjoy most about my job is being able to be involved in the most up-to-date technology in aviation,” Goble said.
Goble is a 2003 ICDA Charter High School graduate. According to Goble, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Reno.
“My family raised me with a strong work ethic and I've been able to apply that into my military life, which has helped me excel to where I am today,” Goble said.
NAWS China Lake is located in the Western Mojave Desert region of California, approximately 150 miles north of Los Angeles. The installation is the Navy's largest single piece of real estate, representing 85 percent of the Navy’s land for Research, Development, Acquisition, Test and Evaluation (RDAT&E) use and 38 percent of the Navy’s land holdings worldwide. In total, its two ranges and main site cover more than 1.1 million acres, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.
Operating a facility as large as China Lake is a monumental task, considering 19,600 square miles of restricted and controlled airspace makes up 12 percent of California's total airspace. Compounding the challenge is the diverse nature of the operations that includes weapons testing and evaluation in air and ground ranges, research and development in highly sophisticated laboratories, and numerous science and technology projects ranging from sensors to chemical and material systems.
The workforce at China Lake is a combination of military, civilians and contractors employed across many different commands focused on researching and evaluating cutting edge technological systems, and training of Navy personnel preparing for combat in areas around the world.
China Lake and the men and women who serve there play a key role in the Navy’s broader mission of protecting American interests on the world’s oceans.
According to Navy officials, maintaining maritime superiority is a vital part of a Navy that is present today and prepared for tomorrow. The impact affects Americans and their interests around the world, as more than 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water and 90 percent of all trade travels by sea.
The foundation of the Navy the nation needs includes a focus on warfighting, warfighters and the future of the fighting force.
“I am confident that we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “We will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in a command, community and career, Goble is most proud of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal received while serving abroad in Japan.
“It was the most challenging yet rewarding time in my military career,” Goble said. “From the three years serving, I spent half of the time deployed as quality assurance and learned more in that timeframe than I learned in my entire career,” Goble said.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Goble, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Goble is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather served in the Army as an infantryman in the Korean War and I'm proud to be the first member of our family to serve in the Navy, as I’m still carrying the family torch serving our country,” Goble said.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Goble, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“Besides being proud of my professional accomplishments, serving in the Navy has allowed me and my family a stable lifestyle without any financial worries,” Goble said.