Centereach, NY - February 24, 2017 - A Centereach High School graduate and Centereach, N.Y. native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Commander Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CSFWP).

Petty Officer 2nd Class Byron Arias works as an aviation machinist mate and operates out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California.

Arias is responsible for performing work center supervisor duties.

“I like the interaction with the Sailors and working hands-on with the aircraft,” Arias said.

“Lemoore has been home to the Navy’s west coast strike fighter community since 1980, when strike fighter squadron VFA-125 was the first squadron established to train Navy and Marine Corps aviators in the F/A-18 Hornet,” said Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, Commander, Naval Air Forces.

The strike fighter wing, headquartered at NAS Lemoore, ensures that each squadron is fully combat-ready to conduct carrier-based, all-weather, attack, fighter and support missions for the Pacific Fleet.

“The morale is high throughout the command and they support the professional development of Sailors,” Arias said.

With the CSFWP consisting of more than 20 squadrons, highly specialized jobs range from training new aviators to maintaining airframes and engines, to handling and flying aircraft.

“The most important thing I've learned is to be versatile because we are constantly traveling all around the world and supporting new missions,” Arias said.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Wyscaver, Navy Office of Community Outreach