Sailor to Aviation

Upon joining the Navy you have the option to choose the carrier or the plane. There are many variables to both. The deployments are varying as well as the duties.

When on a carrier the luxury of land is not avaliable. When on a plane the luxury of land is minimal. Yet, both require skill.

TACAMO has been a part of the Navy since 1989, Naval carriers since 1910. For those serving it becomes a question of sea or land.

Nearly 5,600 men and women are currently serving on a carrier. With a total of ten ships in service. Nearly 1,500 men and women are working TACAMO. With each airline housing 16 crew members per deployment.

Andrew White, AWV2(AW/SW)(E5), began his career in the carrier. After a year of service White decided to transfer to VQ-4 in 2009. "It sounds corny but I wanted to wear a flight suit." White says when asked why he transferred.

According to White; as far as importance, the mission of the E-6B is important if ever there is nuclear war. On the shipboard Navy, its important because daily they defend and controll our sea lanes and coasts.

One with out the other is unlikely. Both serve the country for different reasons and both combine services in order to defend.