By Navy Office of Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2007
Jesuit High School graduate and Sacramento, California
native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s
newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.
Petty Officer 2nd Class
Gregory Jorrin
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,
Jorrin is responsible for various operating systems for the MH-60Rs, ranging
from radar to crew serve weaponry.
“I love the camaradiere
within our community at HSM-46, there is definitely a family type atmosphere
here,” said Jorrin.
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.
Jorrin said he and other HSM-46 sailors
are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all
times.
“This is a top-notch command
that sets the bar of excellence on the entire east coast,” said Jorrin.
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. Jorrin
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 Jorrin,” commented Commander Chris Richard,
HSM-46 Commanding Officer.
Serving in the Navy, Jorrin
said he is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person
through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy has given me financial
stability and it's given me great leadership skills that are needed to succeed both
professionally and personally,” said Jorrin.