LEMOORE, Calif. – Cpl. Deric Ealey, a native of Fairborn, Ohio, 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 |
Ealey joined the Marine Corps four years ago. Today, Ealiy serves as a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic.
“I joined the Marine Corps because I wanted to make a change to better myself,” said Ealey. "I wanted a challenge, and I felt like the Marine Corps was the best fit for me."
Growing up in Fairborn, Ealey attended Fairborn High School and graduated in 2019. Today, Ealey relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Fairborn to succeed in the military.
“Fairborn taught me how to be accepting of everyone's background,” said Ealey. “Regardless of the uniform someone puts on in the morning, nobody is fundamentally different from me. We all share a common humanity that’s bigger than any race, religion or gender that makes us different.”
These lessons have helped Ealey while serving with the Navy’s largest master jet base.
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 maritime forces, Ealey 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 maritime forces are imperative to national defense,” said Ealey. "We are always training, whether it's peacetime or wartime. Our job is to be ready when it comes time to protect our country."
Ealey and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of completing my engine qualification,” said Ealey. "Now, I'm able to operate engines on all of the fighter jets.”
“The maritime forces are imperative to national defense,” said Ealey. "We are always training, whether it's peacetime or wartime. Our job is to be ready when it comes time to protect our country."
Ealey and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of completing my engine qualification,” said Ealey. "Now, I'm able to operate engines on all of the fighter jets.”
As Ealey and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Marine Corps.
“When I was young, I dreamed of being a Marine,” said Ealey. “Serving means I am fulfilling my lifelong dream.”
Ealey is grateful to others for making a career in the Marine Corps possible.
“I really want to thank those who mean the most to me, especially my parents,” added Ealey. “I wouldn't be where I am today without them.”
“When I was young, I dreamed of being a Marine,” said Ealey. “Serving means I am fulfilling my lifelong dream.”
Ealey is grateful to others for making a career in the Marine Corps possible.
“I really want to thank those who mean the most to me, especially my parents,” added Ealey. “I wouldn't be where I am today without them.”