105.1 KNCI Salutes: Lt. Cameron Thornberry From Sacramento

A 2008 Rio Americano graduate and Sacramento, California, native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.

By Admin on May 31, 2018

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Electa Berassa, Navy Office of Community Outreach

LEMOORE, Calif.- A 2008 Rio Americano graduate and Sacramento, California, native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.

Lt. Cameron Thornberry is a pilot with the Warhawks of VFA 97, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy pilot is responsible for flying off the carrier to execute the Navy’s missions.

“I have learned discipline, hard work and persistence,” Thornberry said. “It helps me do my job better.”

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 lbs., and a max 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.”

Thornberry has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.

“My grandfather was a pilot, and my other grandfather was a Navy veterinarian,” said Thornberry. “It opened my eyes to the possibility of joining and the fulfillment of serving.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Thornberry 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 protecting the basic freedoms that we Americans enjoy but often overlook,” Thornberry said. “I knew I wanted to be a part of that and to serve.”

Thank you for your service!

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