Conroe native supports U.S. Navy helicopter squadron

CONROE, TX -- Petty Officer 1st Class Erik Perales, a native of Conroe, TX, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 75 (HSM 75).

Perales graduated from Conroe High School in 2010.

“I played soccer for most of my life, especially during high school, and it taught me the importance of leadership, patience, teamwork and working hard toward the goals I set for myself. Those lessons have carried over into my Navy career and helped me accomplish things I once never imagined.” Perales said.

Perales joined the Navy 12 years ago.

“After high school, I did not have a clear path for my future. I had received a college scholarship to play soccer, but at the time I decided college was not the path I wanted to pursue. I wanted to serve my country and find a career that would provide me with opportunities to grow.” Perales said.

Today, Perales serves as an aviation machinist's mate.

Members of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 75 (HSM 75) fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Perales has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I am most proud of serving as a leading petty officer and helping lead sailors toward success and continued professional growth. During my last assignment at HSM-50, I was also selected as the 2025 senior maintainer of the year, which was a significant recognition of the hard work and dedication I have put into my career.” Perales said.

Perales serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy has allowed me to be the first in my family to serve my country. Over the past 12 years, I have grown tremendously, both personally and professionally, and I remain proud of the opportunity to serve. The Navy has also provided me with job security and technical skills that I can carry with me throughout my career.” Perales said.

Perales is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my mom and siblings for their continued support, especially while I am away on deployment,” Perales added. “I also want to thank my daughter for her resilience and for staying strong in my absence, especially with the distance of living in Texas. Their support and strength motivate me to continue working toward my goals.”

“My goal is to continue working toward making chief and eventually earn my safe for flight qualification when I become eligible. I also want to continue developing the technical skills I have gained in the Navy so I can apply them to a career in the civilian sector after my service,” Perales said. “I am preparing to depart on my fifth deployment and will be serving aboard a carrier for the first time. I am looking forward to experiencing the different missions and operations of a carrier and working alongside a larger team.”

This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/