OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Creedence Fonder, who has family ties to Elko, Nevada, 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 |
Fonder’s father, Kim Fonder Jr., is from Elko.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Elko.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of keeping focused on your goals and to keep good people around you who care about you,” said Fonder.
Fonder joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Fonder serves as an aviation electrician’s mate.
“I joined the Navy so that my son’s college education would be paid for,” said Fonder. “I’m from a landlocked state. I chose the Navy because I wanted to be somewhere by the ocean.”
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.
Fonder 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.”
Fonder has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of advancing to petty officer second class my first time up without studying,” said Fonder. “I just did it. It was surprising because I didn’t think I was going to make it. I’m also proud to have done the Blue Nose ceremony. I got it in June 2023 while serving aboard USS Gerald R. Ford. They’re very rare and it’s not a regular thing that people on aircraft carriers get to do.”
Fonder can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means I have the chance to give my family a better life,” said Fonder. “It’s an amazing opportunity the Navy has given me.”
Fonder is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my spouse, Clara Burns,” added Fonder. “She’s held it down all the time I was deployed and has taken care of our family.”