Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Sailor from the Bronx trains to support U.S. naval aviation warfighters

By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach 

OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Jakob Benes, a native of the Bronx, New York, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to the Center for Naval Aviation Training Technical Unit (CNATTU) Whidbey Island, where sailors learn the skills needed to ensure aircraft are mission-ready.
Photo by Aviation Electronics Technician
1st Class Michael Manning


Benes graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in 2017.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in the Bronx.

“Growing up, I learned to stay alert and always keep my head on a swivel,” said Benes. “My father would tell me as a young adult, ‘To be aware is to be alive,’ and that has stayed with me throughout my life as a sailor.”

Benes is an instructor developing the skills required for naval aviation warfighting. Students are taught the requirements and skills needed to be successful in their careers. Instructors and staff are experts in the subject matter they teach and they provide cutting-edge technical training that transforms students into mission-ready warfighters.

Benes joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Benes serves as a naval aircrewman (operator).

“I was always drawn to military service as a child, and when it came time to decide what to do after high school, it was a no-brainer for me that the Navy was the best decision,” said Benes.

CNATTU Whidbey Island provides two shipboard aircraft firefighting courses in a live fire training environment where sailors learn to use essential teamwork and communication skills to be successful. Shipboard firefighting is a critical skill set every sailor deploying on board a ship must possess to save lives and equipment in the event of an emergency.

According to Navy officials, CNATTU’s mission is to produce resilient sailors and Marines with the necessary knowledge and skills to troubleshoot and maintain aircraft systems. These high-quality trained maintainers will provide the fleet with the aircraft readiness needed to succeed in combat.

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.

Benes 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.”

Benes has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My first combat deployment to European Command gave me the best sense of accomplishment, as a lot of what we did directly supported the mission on the global war on terror in the tracking and apprehension of personnel and intelligence of interest to the U.S government,” said Benes.

Benes can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy defines who I am as a person and as a proud American,” said Benes. “I have bettered myself and have become an example for others to follow.”