OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Cooper Blaszak, a native of Milan, Michigan, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
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| Photo by Alvin Plexico |
Blaszak graduated from Saline High School in 2022.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Milan.
“My parents always told me to do my best and to always be flexible,” said Blaszak. “There’s a lot of times where things don’t go exactly your way. Always somebody in the room smarter than you. You have to be able and willing to learn from others and adapt on a dime. That’s been helpful -- my mom had willow trees -- you have to be stern but flex in the wind. Adapt and do what’s required of you.”
Blaszak joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Blaszak serves as a technical cryptologic technician.
“I always wanted to be a pilot,” said Blaszak. “My parents were already putting my older brother through college, but I didn’t want to be a financial burden to them. So I found another way with the Navy. I’m working toward learning my job and hopefully commissioning in the future.”
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.
Blaszak 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.”
Blaszak has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I started as a seaman recruit when I first enlisted. I had no idea what I was doing. Six months ago, I was promoted to petty officer third class,” said Blaszak. “I use that to show myself that I’m improving. I’m fit, happy and healthy. Two years ago I had no idea what I was doing with my life and now here I am. I’m helping people and I have an integral role. I’ve met people and I love it now.”
Blaszak can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy has given me a chance to better myself,” said Blaszak. “The Navy gives you all the tools but you have to use them. You get housing, food and they allow you to have a 9-to-5 but you’re able to do so much more with it. I really appreciate it being able to better myself while protecting those I love. There’s a little underlying fact that you might have to go fight, but you have to be ready for that. It makes when I see my family that much more special and I appreciate seeing them more.”
Blaszak is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my brother, Garek,” added Blaszak. “He went to college, has that drive to learn more. It drives me because that’s what I want. His passion and his drive are inspiring. I also want to thank my parents.”“I love it here. People worry about it a lot, they psych themselves out. In reality, these are some of the best people I’ve ever met. They don’t have hate. They have a common goal and work toward it. There’s not a single thing here we couldn’t get done without each other. ,” said Blaszak. “Cooperation and camaraderie and I love it. Passion care and cooperation keep it going.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Milan.
“My parents always told me to do my best and to always be flexible,” said Blaszak. “There’s a lot of times where things don’t go exactly your way. Always somebody in the room smarter than you. You have to be able and willing to learn from others and adapt on a dime. That’s been helpful -- my mom had willow trees -- you have to be stern but flex in the wind. Adapt and do what’s required of you.”
Blaszak joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Blaszak serves as a technical cryptologic technician.
“I always wanted to be a pilot,” said Blaszak. “My parents were already putting my older brother through college, but I didn’t want to be a financial burden to them. So I found another way with the Navy. I’m working toward learning my job and hopefully commissioning in the future.”
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.
Blaszak 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.”
Blaszak has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I started as a seaman recruit when I first enlisted. I had no idea what I was doing. Six months ago, I was promoted to petty officer third class,” said Blaszak. “I use that to show myself that I’m improving. I’m fit, happy and healthy. Two years ago I had no idea what I was doing with my life and now here I am. I’m helping people and I have an integral role. I’ve met people and I love it now.”
Blaszak can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy has given me a chance to better myself,” said Blaszak. “The Navy gives you all the tools but you have to use them. You get housing, food and they allow you to have a 9-to-5 but you’re able to do so much more with it. I really appreciate it being able to better myself while protecting those I love. There’s a little underlying fact that you might have to go fight, but you have to be ready for that. It makes when I see my family that much more special and I appreciate seeing them more.”
Blaszak is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my brother, Garek,” added Blaszak. “He went to college, has that drive to learn more. It drives me because that’s what I want. His passion and his drive are inspiring. I also want to thank my parents.”“I love it here. People worry about it a lot, they psych themselves out. In reality, these are some of the best people I’ve ever met. They don’t have hate. They have a common goal and work toward it. There’s not a single thing here we couldn’t get done without each other. ,” said Blaszak. “Cooperation and camaraderie and I love it. Passion care and cooperation keep it going.”