By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach
OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Zac Snider, who has family ties to Fairfield, Texas, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Snider’s father, Jonathan Snider, is from Fairfield.
Snider joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Snider serves as an aviation structural mechanic (safety equipment).
“I joined the Navy to get away from my troubles and the small-town atmosphere,” said Snider. “My little brother is in the Marines. At first, I tried to join the Marines but they didn’t like tattoos at the time, so the staff sergeant steered me to the Navy.”
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.
Snider 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.”
Snider has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest moment in the Navy is between getting my wings, building a family and making lifelong friends,” said Snider. “I’m proud of being someone somebody can lean on. It’s rewarding. Before I joined the Navy, I never thought I’d have a family of my own, but the Navy allowed me to have that.”
Snider can take pride in serving America through military service.
“For me, serving in the Navy means enduring hardship so my family and friends can have the luxury of freedom,” said Snider. “It means freedom for our country.”
Snider is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Abigail, for being super supportive and understanding,” added Snider. “I’m also thankful for my kids. They keep me grounded.”
“I shoot jets off the front end tip of the spear,” said Snider.
