Westfield State Alum Michael Stender '17 Keeps the Navy Safe by Fixing their Aircrafts

Shout out to Westfield State alumn Michael Stender '17, who has a fascinating job as a repairer for the Navy. Michael was assigned to the Fleet Readiness Center Northwest (FRCNW) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. The FRCNW services over 12,500 different aviation components, helping repair items such as jet engines, life support systems, ejection seats, and more than 2,300 pieces of support equipment. This support is crucial for over twenty local and deployed squadrons, ten aircraft carriers, three overseas operational sites, and numerous regional commands and activities in the Pacific Northwest, making Stender an important figure in ensuring that operations run smoothly and are essential to ensuring that the aircraft at FRECNW get the care they need. Michael is ranked as a Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO2), equivalent to a supervisory role, which is still quite hard to obtain.

A native of South Hadley, Stender is quoted as saying, "I joined the Navy because I wanted a better future and gain work experience after graduating college from Westfield State University in 2017." Highlighting an honorable track after college, going into the service, where he is approaching nearly eight years of service. Thank you, Michael, for what you do! Keep up the good work!

To read more about Michael Stender, click the link here.