Sailor with family ties to Fairfield serves with Navy's Electronic Attack Squadron

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 in the U.S. Navy and is 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 works as an aircraft structural mechanic (safety equipment).

“I joined the Navy to get away from my problems and the small-town atmosphere,” Snider said. “My little brother is in the Marines. At first I wanted to join the Marines, but they didn't like tattoos back then, so the sergeant major sent me to the Marines.”

As a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), VAQ-129's primary mission is to train new aircrews to conduct air electronic warfare with the EA-18G Growler. After completing training at the FRS, aircrews are assigned to squadrons attached to either carrier squadrons aboard aircraft carriers or expeditionary squadrons deployed in direct support of the Air Force and other joint assets. Regardless of where they land, the training they receive at the FRS enables these aircrews to exercise electronic attack dominance anytime, anywhere in the world.

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 based on the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft and features the addition of sophisticated sensor capabilities that enable suppression of enemy air defenses and a variety of other electronic warfare operations.

The Growler has two seats, is over 18 meters long and can weigh up to 29,000 kilograms when fully loaded with missiles and jammers. It can reach a speed of over 1,770 kilometers per hour, which is about one and a half times the speed of sound.

With 90 percent of world trade moving by sea and access to the Internet dependent on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, U.S. Navy officials have repeatedly emphasized that the United States' prosperity is directly linked to attracting and retaining talented people from across the wealthy American continent.

Snider serves a Navy that operates far ahead, around the world, around the clock, committed to the prosperity and security of the nation.

“We will earn and strengthen the trust of the American people every day,” said Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations. “Together, we will build the Navy the nation needs.”

Snider has many opportunities to achieve success during his military service.

“My proudest moment in the Navy was when I got my wings, started a family and made lifelong friends,” Snider said. “I pride myself on being someone everyone can depend on. That's rewarding. Before I joined the Navy, I never thought I would have a family of my own, but the Navy made that possible for me.”

Snider can be proud to have served America through his military service.

“For me, serving in the Navy means enduring hardships so that my family and friends can enjoy the luxury of freedom,” Snider said. “It means freedom for our country.”

Snider is grateful to others who made a career in the Navy possible for him.

“I want to thank my wife Abigail for her tremendous support and understanding,” Snider added. “I am also grateful for my children. They keep me grounded.”

“I shoot rays from the front tip of the spear,” Snider said.