JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As a Naval Air Station, NAS Jax is known for some of its high-flying planes. After all, it's the original home of the Blue Angels.
But the base is also situated along the St. Johns River, which is a key location for the subject of this week's Stories of Service.
It's a typical day for Christian Vargas.
"On a day-to-day basis here we'll come here, we'll do inspections on the boats," said Vargas. "Do boat reports, make sure everything is good to go and then do some training here, take the boats out and do line handling."
A machinist mate at the NAS Jax Boathouse, Vargas has spent five years in the Navy. Originally from Houston, TX, the second oldest of seven kids has a very specific reason for joining the Navy.
"Just being a role model for my siblings," said Vargas, "just be that figure for them so they can have that direction in life for what they want to do."
Vargas is part of a team that checks safety platforms for 11 squadrons at the base, including the swim school.
"I take pride in it knowing that they're going out into the fleet and that they're fully qualified with our assistance at NAS Jax, it gives me pride that they're going out there saving people when they need to be," said Vargas.
His hard work paid off, recently he was named one of the Sailors of the Quarter at NAS Jax.
"It goes to show that hard work does not go unnoticed, I take a lot of pride in my work," said Vargas, "we look for the lights, make sure the lights work, we look at the life rings, the lines on the boat, make sure everything electrical works, the engine works and makes sure it's still afloat."
With more than 3,800 acres along the Westbank of the St. Johns River, NAS Jax is the largest installation in the Navy Region Southeast and that clearly keeps Christian Vargas busy.
We thank him for his service, and if you have a Story of Service that you would like us to profile, send us an email to storiesofservice@firstcoastnews.com