A 2011 Santiago High School graduate and Garden Grove native is serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron in Lemoor, California; the squadron flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.
Airman Long Hinh is an aviation electrician’s mate with the Flying Eagles of VFA 122, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy aviation electrician’s mate is responsible for all the electrical components on the aircraft and troubleshooting.
A 2011 Santiago High School graduate and Garden Grove native is serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron in Lemoor, California; the squadron flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.
Airman Long Hinh is an aviation electrician’s mate with the Flying Eagles of VFA 122, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy aviation electrician’s mate is responsible for all the electrical components on the aircraft and troubleshooting.
“I have learned discipline and attention to detail,” Hinh said. “You have to get yourself out of your comfort zone so you can grow.”
Members of VFA 122 work with the F/A 18 Super Hornet, one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. The Super Hornet takes off from and lands on Navy aircraft carriers at sea and is capable of conducting air-to-air combat as well as striking targets on land. It is approximately 61 feet long, has a loaded weight of 51,000 pounds, and a max speed of 1,190 miles per hour.
Operating from sea aboard aircraft carriers, the Super Hornet gives the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, at any time. The versatile jet has the ability to destroy targets located hundreds of miles inland, without the need to get another country’s permission to operate within its borders.
“Strike Fighter Wing, U. S. Pacific Fleet, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, is the heart of Naval Aviation,” said Capt. James S. Bates, deputy commodore, Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific. “The sailors assigned to SFWP always exceed expectations and produce amazing results through teamwork and dedication to their department, squadron, the U.S. Navy and their family. Naval Aviation is a challenging occupation, but our sailors work day in and day out to provide fully mission capable aircraft and fully qualified aircrew to ensure leadership is able to answer national level tasking. I am humbled to be able to lead the sailors of SFWP and I am proud to call Lemoore my home.”
“I am the first in my family to join,” said Hinh. “I felt I was not growing. I wanted to be able to accomplish something so I could go back and do what I want to do. I fought for the freedom that my family has.”
Hinh is also proud of his command’s unique mission.
“My command is very different because we train new pilots and a lot of new personnel,” said Hinh. “We are training all the pilots that go on to the fleet. Without this training they would not be able to do their job in the fleet.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Hinh and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means always doing the right thing and giving everything I’ve got,” Hinh said. “Otherwise, there is no point. Mistakes can be made, but when I make one it can mean someone’s life.”
