OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephanie Leandado, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
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| Photo by Alvin Plexico |
Leandado graduated from Landstown High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Virginia Beach.
“My family is very family-oriented and very hardworking,” said Leandado. “One of the things I learned from them was to just keep pushing through and go day by day, but also take care of yourself. Sometimes things can get overwhelming but that’s how I take it, just day by day.”
Leandado joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Leandado serves as a logistics specialist.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to travel,” said Leandado. “My dad really wanted me to join the Navy. I wanted to make my family proud. I’m the first in my family to serve in the military. I looked up myself to see what the Navy had to offer and I chose the logistics specialist rate.”
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.
Leandado 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.”
Leandado has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I was very proud of myself when I was meritoriously promoted to petty officer second class,” said Leandado. “I was surprised. I just do the work and get it done. I try to help as much as I can at work.”
Leandado can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means a lot to me,” said Leandado. “If I was to compare myself to who I was before I joined, I was a different person. I’ve become more disciplined and have become a better person, friend and daughter.”
Leandado is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my family for their support even though they’re far away,” added Leandado. “I also want to thank the friends I’ve made here because they’ve helped me a lot and my chain of command because they helped me learn about my actual job.”