A 2017 Marina High School graduate and Huntington Beach, California, native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.
Airman Marlene Rivas is an aviation electronics technician with the Gladiators of VFA 106, which operates out of Naval Air Station Oceana.
A Navy aviation electronics technician is responsible for maintaining the weapons system and overall brains of the aircraft.
Rivas credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Huntington Beach.
“I was taught to always be on time and keep a smile during the challenging times,” said Rivas.
Members of VFA 106 fly and maintain 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.