KINGSVILLE, Texas - A Fillmore, California, native is serving in the U.S. Marine Corps alongside naval aviators who learn the skills they need to fly missions around the world.
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Photo by Stephanie Fox, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
1st. Lt. Fox Anderson, a 2015 graduate of Moorpark High School and 2019 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduate, joined the Marine Corps over three years ago.
“I joined the Marine Corps because I have always loved to challenge myself both physically and mentally,” said Anderson. “It has pushed me past physical limits that I never thought I could endure. Joining has also allowed me to be the first person in my family to graduate from a four-year university.”
Skills and values learned in the Marines are similar to those found in Fillmore.
“Growing up I learned that despite struggling extremely financially, through hard work and determination, you can create opportunities for yourself that you never thought were possible,” said Anderson. “This principle has taught me how to battle the daily adversity you encounter in the Marine Corps and succeed against all odds.”
Anderson serves as a student pilot with Training Squadron 22, a strike jet training squadron, located at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas.
“Naval aviation attracts some of the most intelligent and hardworking people in the United States,” said Anderson. “Being able to work with them every single day and pushing each other to be the best aviators in the world, is by far my favorite part of the naval aviation community.”
The air training program focuses on the increased complexity of today’s aircraft. After successfully completing the rigorous program, naval aviators earn their coveted “Wings of Gold.”
After graduation, pilots continue their training to learn how to fly a specific aircraft, such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter attack jet, the F-35 Lightning strike fighter jet or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. These aircraft take off from and land on Navy aircraft carriers at sea.
Navy aircraft carriers are designed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea. With more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard, the aircraft carrier is a self-contained mobile airport.
Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.
Since USS Langley's commissioning 100 years ago, the nation's aircraft carriers and embarked carrier air wings have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
"The aircraft carrier is our U.S. Navy's centerpiece, our flagship, and a constant reminder to the rest of the world of our enduring maritime presence and influence," said Rear Adm. James P. Downey, USN, Program Executive Officer (PEO) Aircraft Carriers. "These ships touch every part of our Navy's mission to project power, ensure sea control, and deter our adversaries."
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to ready sailors and a strong Navy.
Serving in the Department of the Defense means Anderson is part of a team 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.
“The DoD is instrumental in maintaining the security of our coasts and protecting the ideals of freedom and democracy,” said Anderson.
Anderson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of being selected into the strike fighter jet pipeline of naval aviation,” said Anderson. “Since I was young, I imagined it as a small group of elite people and never imagined I would be part of it. It is extremely humbling to be given this opportunity to work with the best of the best.”
Anderson takes pride in serving the country in the Marine Corps.
“Serving in the Marine Corps is both extremely rewarding and immensely humbling,” said Anderson. “Earning the same Marine Corps insignia that some of our nation’s greatest heroes have worn, pushes me to be my absolute best. I must be prepared to do my part if the time comes, so that I may uphold the legacy of the great men and women that come before me.”
Anderson is grateful to loved ones and others for helping make a Marine Corps career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents for the unyielding support throughout the years, my baseball coaches throughout my childhood for teaching me the importance of teamwork and selflessness, and lastly, Maj. Christopher Merrick,” added Anderson. “He currently works as the commanding officer at Recruiting Station Indianapolis. He transformed me from a naïve kid into a United States Marine.”