Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2013
Norwalk High School graduate and Norwalk, Ohio native is serving with a U.S.
Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most
technologically-advanced helicopter.
Petty Officer 3rd
Class Tyson Putnam is a Naval air crewman (tactical helicopter) 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 a Naval air crewman, Putnam is responsible for responsible for operating
sensors and weapons on helicopters.
“What I love about
this job is getting to shoot various weapons from helicopters,” said Putnam.
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.
Putnam said they and
other HSM-46 sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily
defends America at all times.
“I love the brotherhood
of the crew within this command," said Putnam. "We have a real tight family atmosphere."
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. Putnam 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 Putnam,” commented Commander Chris Richard, HSM-46
Commanding Officer.
Serving in the Navy, Putnam
said he is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person
through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The morals, values
and principles I’ve learned while serving has made me a better person,” added Putnam.