VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A 2016 Ross Beatty Junior Senior High School graduate and Niles native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Cassandra Butts is an aviation structural mechanic with the Gladiators of VFA 106, which operates out of Naval Air Station Oceana. A Navy aviation structural mechanic is responsible for maintaining aircraft hydraulics, landing gear and framework.

Butts credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Niles.

“If you put your mind to a goal and keep pressing toward it you can accomplish anything,” Butts said.

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 mph.

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. Super Hornets are an all-weather aircraft used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for interdiction and air support.

A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.

Butts is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Butts is most proud of being meritoriously advanced to second class petty officer.

“I showed my focus, dedication and work ethic. Higher-ups took notice of that,” Butts said. “I’m always willing to do the dirty work.”

Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Butts, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Butts is honored to carry on the family tradition.

“It really is a family tradition. I have multiple Navy people on both sides of my family,” Butts said. “They really had a heavy influence on my decision to join.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Butts and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.

“I care about what I do. I know I’m keeping people safe at home, and those who have no voice,” Butts said. “I also feel that I can be a role model. There’s a lot of pride in this job.”