A 2008 Gloucester High School graduate and Gloucester native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron that flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes. 

Lt. Ryan Aiken is a pilot with the Gladiators VFA 106, which operates out of Naval Air Station Oceana. A Navy pilot is responsible for the tactical employment of the Super Hornets. 

Aiken credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons leaned growing up in Gloucester. “My dad taught me to work hard and be a leader, not a follower,” said Aiken.

Members of VFA 106 Fly and maintain the F/A Super Hornet, which 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.

The Super Hornet is approximately 61 feet long, has a loaded weight of 51,000 pounds and a maximum speed of 1,190 miles per hour. The versatile jet has the ability to destroy targets located hundreds of miles inland.

Super Hornets a...