OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Petty Officer 1st Class Jhezyn Gibson, from Lakewood, Washington, currently serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Lakewood.
“I admire the values of Lakewood,” said Gibson. “My family immigrated to America when I was 19 years old. I’m grateful for all this country has to offer and want to strive to make myself and others better every day.”
Gibson joined the Navy eight years ago. Today, Gibson serves as an aviation structural mechanic.
“I joined the Navy for the educational opportunities,” said Gibson.
As a fleet replacement squadron (FRS), VAQ-129’s primary mission is to train new aircrew to conduct airborne electronic warfare in the EA-18G Growler. Once complete at the FRS, aircrew will be assigned to squadrons either attached to carrier air wings onboard aircraft carriers or expeditionary squadrons that forward deploy in direct support of Air Force and other Joint assets. Regardless of where they end up, the training they receive at the FRS enables these aircrew to project electronic attack dominance anywhere in the world at any time.
Built to replace the EA-6B Prowler, the EA-18G Growler is both a ground and carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft and is the cornerstone of the Joint Force’s Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) mission. Its platform is derived from the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft and adds a sophisticated sensor suite that enables the suppression of enemy air defenses along with a variety of other electronic warfare 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.
Gibson 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.”
Gibson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I was the Plane Captain of the Year in 2018,” said Gibson. “When I learned I had been selected for this honor, I was surprised and proud. I was just doing my job and never imagined that something like this would happen to me.”
Gibson can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means a lot because of all I’ve learned, all the places I’ve visited and experiences I’ve had,” said Gibson. “So far, I’ve been to Singapore, Bahrain, France, Thailand, Dubai and Japan.”
Gibson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible, including family members who live in Lakewood.
“I want to thank my mother, Evangelina Adizas, my brother, Mark Jefferson Adizas, and my grandmother, Francisca Adizas,” said Gibson. “They still live in Lakewood, and I appreciate all the support they provide. I look forward to seeing them the next time I visit Lakewood.”
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| Photo by Alvin Plexico |
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Lakewood.
“I admire the values of Lakewood,” said Gibson. “My family immigrated to America when I was 19 years old. I’m grateful for all this country has to offer and want to strive to make myself and others better every day.”
Gibson joined the Navy eight years ago. Today, Gibson serves as an aviation structural mechanic.
“I joined the Navy for the educational opportunities,” said Gibson.
As a fleet replacement squadron (FRS), VAQ-129’s primary mission is to train new aircrew to conduct airborne electronic warfare in the EA-18G Growler. Once complete at the FRS, aircrew will be assigned to squadrons either attached to carrier air wings onboard aircraft carriers or expeditionary squadrons that forward deploy in direct support of Air Force and other Joint assets. Regardless of where they end up, the training they receive at the FRS enables these aircrew to project electronic attack dominance anywhere in the world at any time.
Built to replace the EA-6B Prowler, the EA-18G Growler is both a ground and carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft and is the cornerstone of the Joint Force’s Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) mission. Its platform is derived from the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft and adds a sophisticated sensor suite that enables the suppression of enemy air defenses along with a variety of other electronic warfare 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.
Gibson 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.”
Gibson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I was the Plane Captain of the Year in 2018,” said Gibson. “When I learned I had been selected for this honor, I was surprised and proud. I was just doing my job and never imagined that something like this would happen to me.”
Gibson can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means a lot because of all I’ve learned, all the places I’ve visited and experiences I’ve had,” said Gibson. “So far, I’ve been to Singapore, Bahrain, France, Thailand, Dubai and Japan.”
Gibson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible, including family members who live in Lakewood.
“I want to thank my mother, Evangelina Adizas, my brother, Mark Jefferson Adizas, and my grandmother, Francisca Adizas,” said Gibson. “They still live in Lakewood, and I appreciate all the support they provide. I look forward to seeing them the next time I visit Lakewood.”