LEMOORE, Calif. – Lt. j. g. Gahazi Nazzal, a native of Glendale, Maryland, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 125. The command is a joint strike fighter squadron located aboard the U.S. Navy’s largest master jet base.
Nazzal joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Nazzal serves as a supply officer.
“As an immigrant from Sierra Leone, I wanted to give back to a country that gave me so much," said Nazzal.
Growing up in Glendale, Nazzal attended Bowie High School, graduating in 2014. Today, Nazzal relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Glendale to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I learned the value of creating meaningful relationships," said Nazzal. "Additionally, I grew to understand the value of working hard and putting in the hours."
These lessons have helped Nazzal 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, Nazzal 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 one of the reasons that the United States is as secure as it is," said Nazzal. “We are critical to building important relationships with our allied partners.”
Nazzal and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am proud to lead and work for some of the finest sailors and Marines," said Nazzal. "I am privileged to learn from people of all walks of life."
As Nazzal and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means being part of something bigger than myself," said Nazzal. “It means serving those I work alongside, as well as their families.”
Nazzal is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents, my uncle, Michael, and my wife, Marta, for supporting me unconditionally,” added Nazzal. “They have been there through the highs and lows and have always been my rock.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Vanessa White |
Nazzal joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Nazzal serves as a supply officer.
“As an immigrant from Sierra Leone, I wanted to give back to a country that gave me so much," said Nazzal.
Growing up in Glendale, Nazzal attended Bowie High School, graduating in 2014. Today, Nazzal relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Glendale to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I learned the value of creating meaningful relationships," said Nazzal. "Additionally, I grew to understand the value of working hard and putting in the hours."
These lessons have helped Nazzal 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, Nazzal 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 one of the reasons that the United States is as secure as it is," said Nazzal. “We are critical to building important relationships with our allied partners.”
Nazzal and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am proud to lead and work for some of the finest sailors and Marines," said Nazzal. "I am privileged to learn from people of all walks of life."
As Nazzal and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means being part of something bigger than myself," said Nazzal. “It means serving those I work alongside, as well as their families.”
Nazzal is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents, my uncle, Michael, and my wife, Marta, for supporting me unconditionally,” added Nazzal. “They have been there through the highs and lows and have always been my rock.”