A West Nassau High School graduate and Callahan native serves in the U.S. Navy with Commander Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Petty Officer Third Class Austin Raulerson works as an aviation ordnance man and operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore in California.
Raulerson is responsible for the safe loading and arming of ordnance on aircrafts.
“I enjoy loading ordnance because I know my job makes a difference,” Raulerson 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 in the 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.
“I like working within my division,” Raulerson 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.
“I've learned the importance of effective leadership and how to work well with others,” Raulerson said.