Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 1994
Ragsdale High School graduate and Jamestown, North Carolina native is serving with a U.S.
Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most
technologically-advanced helicopter.
Senior Chief Mark Hudson
is an aviation machinist's mate 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 aviation
machinist's mate, Hudson is a maintenance supervisor and coordinator for the
aircrew and says “his people” are what make it all worthwhile.
“The interaction with
the personnel at the command make every day worth going to work,” said Hudson.
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.
Hudson said he and
other HSM-46 sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily
defends America at all times.
“The camaraderie with
the sailors at the command gives everyone a sense of togetherness,” said Hudson.
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. Hudson 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 Hudson,” commented Commander Chris Richard, HSM-46
commanding officer.
Serving in the Navy, Hudson
said he is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person
through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy has provided me with responsibility and
time management skills that have made me a better overall person in life,” said Hudson.