SAN DIEGO – Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Ross Natoli, a native of Clifton, New Jersey, serving with the “Golden Dragons” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192, embarked aboard Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), was recognized as Vinson’s “Sailor of the Day” in a ceremony on the ship’s bridge, September 12. Natoli was selected for this honor from among over 3,000 sailors in the Ship’s crew.

Natoli serves as the line division assistant leading petty officer and supervises 26 pilots and trainees in the “Golden Dragons” squadron in flight operations of 10 F/A-18E Super Hornet jets. He played a critical role in his division’s effort to land the squadron on Vinson.

He received his G.E.D. in 2012 and joined the Navy in May 2013. He has been serving
with VFA 192 since July 4, 2019.
As Natoli continues to serve aboard Vinson, he is thankful for the support of his squadron
and fellow sailors.

“I want to give a shout-out to the Golden Dragons for all of their hard work and
dedication,” said Natoli.

Vinson recently returned to Naval Air Station North Island after completing a 17-month
scheduled docking planned incremental availability in Bremerton, Washington, during
which the ship underwent a complete restoration and a system retrofit to accommodate F-
35C Lightning II mission capabilities.