Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2006
South Plantation High School graduate and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 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 Lucmany Andre is an aircrew survival equipmentman 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 aircrew survival
equipmentman, Andre is responsible for making sure the aircrews have all
safety equipment needed and it is properly maintained.
“I like that my job
gives me the responsibility of knowing that in a serious situation our crews
rely on the work that I do,” said Andre.
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.
Andre said they and
other HSM-46 sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily
defends America at all times.
“Our command gives us
a lot of support and it keeps our camaraderie up,” said Andre.
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. Andre 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 Andre,” commented Commander Chris Richard, HSM-46
commanding officer.
Serving in the Navy, Andre
said he is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person
through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy has taught
me that everything is what you make it,” said Andre. “You are the only person
who can keep yourself from achieving your highest level of success.”