OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Julia Kolawole, a native of Buford, Georgia, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Kolawole graduated from South Gwinnett High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Buford.
“A lesson I carry with me is that you only live once,” said Kolawole. “You only get one chance to live life to the fullest with no regrets.”
Kolawole joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Kolawole serves as an aviation structural mechanic.
“I joined the Navy to travel and to seek out a sense of direction in my life,” said Kolawole.
VAQ-142 deploys with aircraft carriers to project electronic attack dominance anywhere in the world at any time.
The EA-18G Growler is a carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft and the cornerstone of the naval Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) mission. Its platform is derived from the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft and adds a sophisticated electronic warfare suite that enables it to suppress enemy air defenses as well as electronic attack operations.
The Growler has two seats, is over 60 feet long and can weigh up to 66,000 pounds when fully loaded with all missiles and electronic jammers. It can travel at speeds over 1,100 miles per hour, around 1.5 times the speed of sound.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Kolawole serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Kolawole has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“The thing I’m most proud of is staying true to myself and the people I’ve affected,” said Kolawole. “I’m also proud of the deployment I completed aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Middle East last year.”
Kolawole can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy inspires my younger siblings and lets them know that they have a big sister who loves them dearly,” said Kolawole. “I want to serve as a good role model for my siblings because I know how important that is for young people growing up today.”
Kolawole is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family for their support,” added Kolawole.
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| Photo by Alvin Plexico |
Kolawole graduated from South Gwinnett High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Buford.
“A lesson I carry with me is that you only live once,” said Kolawole. “You only get one chance to live life to the fullest with no regrets.”
Kolawole joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Kolawole serves as an aviation structural mechanic.
“I joined the Navy to travel and to seek out a sense of direction in my life,” said Kolawole.
VAQ-142 deploys with aircraft carriers to project electronic attack dominance anywhere in the world at any time.
The EA-18G Growler is a carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft and the cornerstone of the naval Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) mission. Its platform is derived from the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft and adds a sophisticated electronic warfare suite that enables it to suppress enemy air defenses as well as electronic attack operations.
The Growler has two seats, is over 60 feet long and can weigh up to 66,000 pounds when fully loaded with all missiles and electronic jammers. It can travel at speeds over 1,100 miles per hour, around 1.5 times the speed of sound.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Kolawole serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Kolawole has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“The thing I’m most proud of is staying true to myself and the people I’ve affected,” said Kolawole. “I’m also proud of the deployment I completed aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Middle East last year.”
Kolawole can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy inspires my younger siblings and lets them know that they have a big sister who loves them dearly,” said Kolawole. “I want to serve as a good role model for my siblings because I know how important that is for young people growing up today.”
Kolawole is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family for their support,” added Kolawole.