Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 1996
Martin Luther King Jr. High School graduate and Philadelphia native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s
newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.
Chief Marcel Overton
is an aviation maintenance administrationman 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
maintenance administrationman, Overton is responsible for maintaining aircraft
log books and data systems.
“Being in my job
gives me the opportunity to see how everything happens in the day to day
workings of the aircraft,” said Overton.
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.
Overton said they and
other HSM-46 sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily
defends America at all times.
“This command really
takes care of their people,” said Overton. “They create a good atmosphere of
camaraderie.”
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. Overton 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 Overton,” commented Commander Chris Richard, HSM-46
commanding officer.
Serving in the Navy, Overton
said he is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person
through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The biggest thing
I’ve gathered since serving in the Navy is that team work is the key to success,” said Overton.