LEMOORE, Calif. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathaniel Bailey, a native of Burton, Michigan, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125. The command is a joint strike fighter squadron located aboard the U.S. Navy’s largest master jet base in Lemoore, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Vanessa White, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Bailey joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Bailey serves as an aviation machinist's mate.
“I joined the Navy to travel the world,” said Bailey. "I also wanted the work experience."
Bailey attended Atherton High School and graduated in 2019. Today, Bailey relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Burton to succeed in the military.
“My hometown taught me how to quickly adapt to hard-working environments,” said Bailey. "This ability stems from the absurd hours I would work when I was with my uncle."
These lessons have helped Bailey while serving with the Navy.
Members of VFA 125 fly and maintain the F35-C Lightning II, a combat-ready fifth-generation fighter.
According to Navy officials, the F-35C is designed with the entire battlespace in mind, bringing transformational capability to the United States and its allies. Missions traditionally performed by specialized aircraft (air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, electronic attack, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) can now be executed by a squadron of F-35s.
For the first time in U.S. naval aviation history, radar-evading stealth capability comes to the aircraft carrier deck. The F-35C carrier variant sets new standards in weapon system integration, lethality, maintainability, combat radius and payload that bring true multi-mission power projection capability from the sea, according to Navy officials.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."
“My hometown taught me how to quickly adapt to hard-working environments,” said Bailey. "This ability stems from the absurd hours I would work when I was with my uncle."
These lessons have helped Bailey while serving with the Navy.
Members of VFA 125 fly and maintain the F35-C Lightning II, a combat-ready fifth-generation fighter.
According to Navy officials, the F-35C is designed with the entire battlespace in mind, bringing transformational capability to the United States and its allies. Missions traditionally performed by specialized aircraft (air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, electronic attack, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) can now be executed by a squadron of F-35s.
For the first time in U.S. naval aviation history, radar-evading stealth capability comes to the aircraft carrier deck. The F-35C carrier variant sets new standards in weapon system integration, lethality, maintainability, combat radius and payload that bring true multi-mission power projection capability from the sea, according to Navy officials.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."
As a member of the Navy, Bailey is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because the oceans and seas of the world need to be protected,” said Bailey. "The freedom of the seas is necessary to ensure travel and trade can be done safely."
Bailey and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I was extremely proud when I learned that I helped out my fellow sailors complete a bunch of qualifications,” said Bailey. “Whatever field I was in at the time, I would help them. Even though I'm junior enlisted I have been able to do a lot as a mentor.”
As Bailey and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving means being able to better myself and help others along the way,” said Bailey. “Helping others is what gets me motivated to start the day.”
Bailey is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, David Bailey,” added Bailey. “He’s the one that encouraged me to join and I wouldn’t be here without him.”
“The Navy is important to national defense because the oceans and seas of the world need to be protected,” said Bailey. "The freedom of the seas is necessary to ensure travel and trade can be done safely."
Bailey and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I was extremely proud when I learned that I helped out my fellow sailors complete a bunch of qualifications,” said Bailey. “Whatever field I was in at the time, I would help them. Even though I'm junior enlisted I have been able to do a lot as a mentor.”
As Bailey and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving means being able to better myself and help others along the way,” said Bailey. “Helping others is what gets me motivated to start the day.”
Bailey is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, David Bailey,” added Bailey. “He’s the one that encouraged me to join and I wouldn’t be here without him.”