Navy Office of Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2002 Collinsville High School graduate
and Collinsville, Illinois native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter
squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced
helicopter.
Petty Officer 1st Class Dustin Rethelford is a Naval air crewman with
the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46, a Mayport,
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 air crewman, Rethelford is responsible for the training
and readiness of the air crewman of the command.
“Our job is one of the only enlisted rates in the Navy who
gets to fly in the aircraft, which I think is pretty cool,” said Rethelford.
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.
Rethelford said he and other HSM-46 sailors are proud to
be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“The command has a long standing reputation of being one of the top
squadrons,” said Rethelford. “I wanted to come here because of that reputation.”
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied within the squadron.
Approximately 270 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.
“The mission of HSM-46 is to embark and deploy combat-ready
helicopter detachments around the world. Rethelford is a big part of why we are
so successful. He has a tireless work
ethic, and embodies our squadron motto of ‘Set the Standard.’ I’m very proud of Rethelford,” commented Commander
Chris Richard, HSM-46 commanding officer.
Serving in the Navy, Rethelford said he is learning about
being a more respectable leader, sailor and person through handling numerous
responsibilities.
“The Navy is one of the most challenging jobs in the world, but it's also the most rewarding,” said Rethelford. “You will be tested but if
you have pride in your country, it makes it worth it.”