OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Lt. Brady Ray, a native of Provo, Utah, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
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| Photo by Ashley Craig |
Ray graduated from Provo High School in 2008. Additionally, Ray earned a degree in Russian with a minor in political science from Brigham Young University in 2016.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Provo.
“I grew up in a culture that was very driven to work hard and be proud of the work you’re doing,” said Ray. “I think that’s translated to Navy very well in that there’s a lot of people in the Navy who work hard and are here to make a difference.”
Ray joined the Navy eight years ago. Today, Ray serves as a naval flight officer.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to fly,” said Ray. “I have an uncle in the Air Force who was instrumental in helping me understand what path I wanted to take. While in the Air Force, he did a joint tour with the Navy, so he had good information. I was the first in my family to join the Navy but my family has a history of military service, mostly Air Force.”
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.
Ray 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.”
Ray has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of becoming an instructor,” said Ray. “Having the opportunity to pass along all of my experience and all the lessons I had to learn the hard way to the next generation of naval aviators is the best job that one can hope for.”
Ray can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy is an opportunity for me to serve my country, make a difference in the world and be part of something bigger than myself in a way I don’t think I would have had outside of the Navy,” said Ray.
Ray is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my uncle who got me thinking about this as a career,” added Ray. “I’m thankful for my parents, who have been really supportive. I also want to thank my wife for her support.”