Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2010
Guilford High School graduate and Rockford, Illinois 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 Logan Norris is a Naval air crewman 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,
Norris is responsible for radar operations, anti-submarine
warfare and various small arms for the command.
“I like being on
deployment and performing various operations and exercises as well as flying in
the helicopters,” said Norris.
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.
Norris said he and
other HSM-46 sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily
defends America at all times.
“I enjoy the
tight-knit group we have here at the command," said Norris. "It is a very enjoyable 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. Norris 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 Norris,” commented Commander Chris Richard, HSM-46
commanding officer.
Serving in the Navy, Norris
said he is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person
through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy has taught
me how to be a leader, how to take charge and take the initiative,” added Norris.