A Valencia sailor and 2005 Valencia High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the largest base in the Southeast Region and third largest in the nation.

Petty Officer 1st Class Bryan Banaga is an information systems technician serving with Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11.

A Navy information systems technician is responsible for maintaining operational readiness for the computers and electrical communication equipment at the command.

“I like that my job allows me to provide customer service to my fellow shipmates and assist them in fixing their issues,” Banaga said.

According to Navy officials, Wing 11’s history and reputation remain unparalleled since being commissioned on August 15, 1942. Throughout the decades, Wing 11 has continued to fly combat missions in direct support of the troops on the ground and delivered traditional maritime capabilities, real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

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“The U.S. Navy sometimes asks the impossible of our people. It is sailors that make the impossible possible,” said Capt. Anthony Corapi, Commodore, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11. “Petty Officer 1st Class

“Petty Officer 1st Class Banaga is one example of a selfless servant of our nation,” Corapi said. “These heroes ask for very little recognition and perform their daily job with pride and professionalism defending freedom and our way of life around the world.  Each member of the Navy’s combat team is crucial to our success. I am very proud to have Petty Officer 1st Class Banaga on our team.”

Banaga is part of a crew that is transitioning to the P-8A Poseidon and preparing for deployment in the future.

“This command is great because the climate here is calm,” Banaga said. “It allows us to complete our mission with ease and teamwork without the stress.”

According to Navy officials, the Navy continues to meet milestone after milestone on this world-class mission and is providing an aircraft with superior capabilities to the men and women in uniform that will have a lasting legacy promoting a global maritime strategy.

“Since joining the Navy I have learned valuable lessons that with assist in the rest of my life,” Banaga said. “I have gained patience, learned leadership, responsibility and confidence.”

Ed. note: This article is a feature provided by the Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs.