Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2011
West Lauderdale High School graduate and Meridian, Mississippi native is
serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and
most technologically-advanced helicopter.
Airman Adam Curtsinger
is an aviation structural mechanic 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
structural mechanic, Curtsinger is responsible for brakes, tires and flight
control on the MH-60R.
“I like working with
my hands," said Curtsinger. "I like being able to see something going from broken to working."
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.
Curtsinger said they
and other HSM-46 sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team that
readily defends America at all times.
“Our commanding
officer here really listens to our needs and cares about our opinions,” said Curtsinger.
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. Curtsinger 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 Curtsinger,” commented Commander Chris Richard, HSM-46
commanding officer.
Serving in the Navy, Curtsinger
said he is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person
through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy gives you
the opportunity to learn about leadership,” said Curtsinger. “You are always in
charge of someone so you need to make sure to give them a good example to
follow.”