Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 had the honor of commissioning Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class (AW) Jordan Wiermaa to Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) in the base theater Feb. 8.

Wiermaa received his commission after being selected to be a pilot in the Chief Warrant Officer Flying Program from a large group of highly qualified applicants. Only six individuals were selected to be commissioned and receive orders to flight training as student naval aviators and student naval flight officers.

Wiermaa enlisted in the Navy in Duluth, Minn. and reported to Great Lakes Recruit Training Command on July 1, 2002. He proceeded to Aviation Structural Mechanic “A” School in Pensacola, Fla. and then checked into Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 151 at NAS Lemoore, Calif., in December 2002. Wiermaa spent the next five years in VFA-151 and in June 2007 became an instructor at CNATTU Lemoore. There he completed his bachelor of science in professional aeronautics from Embry Riddle. 

“I really wanted to become a professional pilot when I started working on my private pilot’s license at the Navy Flying Club in Lemoore,” said Wiermaa.  He joined the Black Ravens in July 2010 and leaves shortly to start his journey to earn his wings of gold and become designated as a Naval Aviator.

Wiermaa applied for the Flying Warrant Officer program in 2009 but was not selected. Not to be deterred, he applied again 2010, after strengthening his application package.

The program is extremely competitive and for highly-qualified and hard-charging Sailors, E5 through E7, that place chief warrant officers as naval aviators and naval flight officers. This program harnesses the strengths of Sailors today and shapes the Navy of tomorrow by creating flying specialists not encumbered by the traditional career path of an Unrestricted Line Officer.

“If you want something, go out and make it happen,” said Wiermaa, to all the Sailors present during his commissioning ceremony. 

The Black Ravens wish Wiermaa and his family fair winds and following seas as he heads off to flight school.