Navy Officer Makes Strides for Women in Aviation

Marina Haro, Petty Officer 2nd Class Marina, joined the Navy five years ago to find a sense of structure and education. Today, she serves at the Navy’s elite air station.

Growing up in a military family, Haro always saw herself pursuing some form of service.

“My father was in the military,” Haro said. “I always thought it was really cool as a little girl, and I always knew I wanted to join.”

Five years into her journey in the Navy, Haro is now with the “Grey Knights” of VP-46, a part of the Navy’s cutting-edge, high-tech maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft at Naval Air Station in Whidbey Island, Washington. Deployed around the globe, her job as an aviation ordnanceman involves keeping monitor over the world’s oceans. Haro operates out of the state-of-the-art P-8A “Poseidon.” 

“I make sure that all of the squadron’s ordinance and weapon skids are operational and ready to go,” Haro said. “I also make sure people have a plan for what they need to be doing.”

Haro says the community of strong women she’s met along the way has been a guide for her throughout her time in the Navy. Their support and guidance have been catalysts in her career.

“Every woman I’ve met in aviation, from airman to senior chief, master chief, they are always so welcoming and strong and I don’t know if I’d be where I am if I didn’t have the community of women I’ve had as an airman to kind of lead me and show me.”

When it comes to her team, she sees them more like a family — working and growing together every day. 

“There’s a lot of camaraderie, and it’s important to know your job and do it confidently,” said Haro. “It’s like a second family. I’ve known some of my shipmates since I was 19, and we’ve all grown together.”

Haro and her team’s primary mission revolves around long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence gathering missions.