Lake Villa native serves with Navy strike fighter squadron
A 2015 Lakes Community High School graduate and Lake Villa native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world's most advanced warplanes.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Samuel Callahan is an aviation structural mechanic with the Warhawks of VFA 97, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy aviation structural mechanic is responsible for the integrity of the structure of aircraft and all hydraulics systems.
"I have learned if you aren't first, you're last," Callahan said. "You don't get anywhere you want to get without hard work and effort. But, integrity is the most important thing."
Members of VFA 97 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 maximum 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 team work 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."
Callahan has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
"My uncle was in the Navy," Callahan said. "He influenced my decision to join."
Callahan is also proud to have been selected for an automatic promotion to third class for being the best at rank and most deserving.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy's most relied-upon assets, Callahan 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 'I earned my freedom'," Callahan said. "It is nice to be able to protect the people who cannot join the military."
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