NORFOLK, Va. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Zachary Callanan, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Virginia Capes (FACSFAC VACAPES).
Callanan graduated from Basis Mesa High School in 2016.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Phoenix.
“I learned growing up the importance of respecting and understanding others,” Callanan said. “At the end of the day, we are all people. We may all have different ranks, but if we have a good understanding of one another and can respect each other, then we can help the military be successful.”
Callanan joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Callanan serves as an operations specialist.
“I joined the Navy because I wasn’t really doing anything at the time,” Callanan said. "I went to college after high school, and I was doing well. However, I didn’t want to spend all that money. My dad was also in the Navy, and he convinced me to join the military to do something with my life."
Established in 1977, FACSFAC VACAPES maintains the scheduling, control and surveillance of military operating areas and training routes for the northeastern United States. The command now routinely oversees more than 112,000 miles of offshore air, surface and sub-surface operating areas from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island to Charleston, South Carolina.
Known as the “Giant Killers,” sailors assigned to the command provide air traffic control for more than 98,000 sorties each year operating in the expansive special-use airspace. Some of these events include missile exercises, unit-level training, NASA rocket launches, gunnery evolutions and underwater detonation drills.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Callanan has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of completing two deployments aboard USS Essex, one of which was during COVID,” Callanan said. “I’m proud of that because I never saw myself on a ship in general, and we spent weeks out to sea, conducting operations that mattered and important missions.”
Callanan serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means giving back to the country that I am blessed to have been born in,” Callanan said. "A lot of people in the country take the freedoms for granted so it feels good to give back in this way."
Callanan is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my father, Irvin, for always pushing me to do my best and for giving me tips before and after I joined the Navy,” Callanan added. “I also want to thank my wife, Jasmine, for always sticking by my side because I know this is not easy for her. I want to thank my mom, Amanda, as well for keeping me motivated and for always checking up on me. They are the three people who have kept me going.”