Spring Native keeps the Navy’s newest, most advanced helicopters flying

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- A 2011 Oak Ridge High School graduate and Spring, Texas, native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.

Airman Anthony Fernandez credits much of their success from lessons they learned growing up in Spring.

“The community I come from is a tight knit community where everyone looks out for each other,” said Fernandez. 'I brought that into the Navy with me. It's helped me working and interacting with people from all walks of life.'

Fernandez is an aviation structural mechanic with the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, a Jacksonville, Florida based squadron that operates the Navy’s next generation submarine hunter and Anti-Surface Warfare helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk. Each helicopter is nearly 65 feet long, may weigh up to 23,500 lbs. (max gross) and can travel over 120 miles per hour for nearly 320 miles on a tank of gas.

As an aviation structural mechanic, Fernandez is responsible for maintaining the bodies of naval helicopters.

According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the most capable multi-mission helicopter available in the world today. It is used for a variety of missions, including hunting and tracking enemy submarines, attacking enemy ships, search and rescue, drug interdiction, delivering supplies and supporting the Navy’s special operations forces.

It is replacing the Navy’s older helicopters because of its greater versatility and more advanced weapon systems.

Fernandez is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.

“I always wanted to join the Navy,” said Fernandez. 'You get to travel the world.'

Fernandez said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.

“My proudest accomplishment is earning my enlisted aviation warfare pin,” said Fernandez. 'It took a long time, a lot of work and you had to actually know the information. You have to take a test and go in front of board.'

Sailors’ jobs are highly varied within the squadron. Approximately 297 Navy men and women are assigned and keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly. This includes everything from maintaining helicopter airframes and engines, to processing paperwork, handling weapons and flying the aircraft.

Fernandez is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon capital assets, Fernandez and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.

Serving in the Navy, Fernandez is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.

“I have a son, so I am trying to make him proud and my family proud,” said Fernandez. 'I'm serving my country.'