The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program is honored to announce the May 2024 story of the month has been selected to recognize the service of United States Navy Veteran, Avionics Master Chief Caroline Blazek. The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program was privileged to interview Avionics Master Chief Caroline Blazek at the VP-68 Alumni Association Reunion in the Fall of 2021. 

Avionics Master Chief Caroline Blazek shared that she wanted to join the Navy and see the world after being inspired by family who served. She attended boot camp in Orlando Florida in 1974. Focusing on the new opportunities that the Navy had to offer was a key element to her success when becoming a sailor. As an older recruit at 22 compared to recruits who joined directly from high school, Chief Blazek had a unique perspective and worked to lead her fellow recruits. Upon graduation from Orlando, she attended school for aviation fundamentals and aviation electronics at Naval Air Station Memphis. The experience provided insightful training and prepared Chief Blazek her future naval career. Chief Blazek spoke of experiencing changes within the United States Navy and expanding roles and opportunities for women, including greater rates in Naval Aviation. She witnessed changing times from the days of the Navy WAVE to new pathways for women to serve their Country in ways that were not possible before.

 Chief Blazek’s first assignment was at Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River. She soon applied the knowledge learned in school and worked to repair helicopters that were overheating. At the Naval Air Test Center, she also gained valuable experience, working to find solutions on a variety of aircraft which had different faults.

From active duty, Chief Blazek entered the Naval Reserve and had fond memories of Patrol Squadrons 66 and 68. She recalled, “VP 66 was the biggest in the Navy. We had almost 550 maybe 600 people who were part of the operation.”  Chief Blazek’s service with Patrol 68 would be the most memorable. Chief Blazek shared, “It’s our 50th Anniversary. These are some of my best buddies. These are people I’ve been close to all my whole life.” The 50th Anniversary Reunion which our Navy Memorial film crews attended was an extraordinary celebration and reflection of the proud history and heritage of VP 68. The camaraderie and teamwork of Patrol Squadron 68 was unique and a common point of reflect by Chief Blazek and those interviewed at the Squadron’s 50th Anniversary.

The United States Navy Memorial honors United States Navy Veteran, Avionics Master Chief Caroline Blazek, featured within this series titled, Tales from the Navy Log, Story of the Month. Each month, this series honors a Veteran’s story recorded by the Stories of Service Program at the Navy Memorial. To learn more about this story and to explore the Navy Memorial archive, visit the Navy Memorial Stories of Service site at https://www.navymemorial.org/stories-of-service