OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Charles Grayer, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Grayer graduated from Germantown High School in 2016.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Memphis.
“Growing up, accountability was an emphasis my mom insisted on,” said Grayer. "She held me accountable for all my actions and choices. So, being in the Navy, and taking accountability for my own actions has taken me a long way."
Grayer joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Grayer serves as an aircrew survival equipmentman.
“I joined the Navy to see the world,” said Grayer. "I also want to make an impact on the world and my country."
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.
Grayer 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.”
Grayer has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is completing my first deployment when I was 19,” said Grayer. "I was with an aviation squadron aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt, in 2018. We went to the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea."
Grayer can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means a lot to me,” said Grayer. "I know that I'm on the front line to protect my loved ones back home. The Navy introduced me to many different cultures and has allowed me to meet people from all over. They've become like an extended family for me."
Grayer is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, Tori,” added Grayer. "I appreciate her pushing me outside the box and giving me the encouragement that I needed."