OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Seaman Mariam Okoya, a sailor from Lagos, Nigeria, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Okoya graduated from Federal Girls Government College Sagamu in 2002.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Nigeria.
“I learned the importance of hard work, perseverance, focus and being God-fearing,” said Okoya.
Okoya joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Okoya serves as a logistics specialist.
“I joined the Navy to be part of something bigger than myself,” said Okoya.
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.
Okoya 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.”
Okoya has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I'm proud that my daughter and I both joined the Navy at about the same time,” said Okoya. I was two weeks away from graduating boot camp when my daughter started boot camp. Today, my daughter is stationed with the Navy in Norfolk, Virginia.
Okoya can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means that I can go above and beyond to meet new challenges helping discover my full potential,” said Okoya.