A Verdugo Hill High School graduate and Burbank native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Commander Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CSFWP).

Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Long works as an aviation electronics technician and operates out of Naval Air Station (NAS) in Lemoore. Long is responsible for trouble shooting and repairing complex avionic systems.

“My favorite part of the job is taking what I know and passing it on to others in order to help them with their training,” Long 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 command is really family oriented. The command led functions are a really great morale booster,” Long 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 Navy offers Sailors unlimited support and aid in professional development,” Long said.