Stuart, Fla. native keeps the Navy’s newest, most advanced helicopters flying

Navy Office of Community Outreach

(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2007 South Fork High School graduate and Stuart, Florida native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.

Lt. Leighton Pleasants is a pilot 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 pilot, Pleasants is responsible for commanding and flying the MH-60R helicopter.

“I enjoy the crew concept of flying,” said Pleasants. “We always have a minimum of three guys in the helicopter which allows us to share the experience together.”

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.

Pleasants said he and other HSM-46 sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.

“From the sailors up to the officers, there is great teamwork and effort to accomplish the mission at this command,” said Pleasants.

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. Pleasants 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 Pleasants,” commented Commander Chris Richard, HSM-46 Commanding Officer.

Serving in the Navy, Pleasants said he is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities. 

“The most vital thing I’ve learned serving in the Navy is the importance of every individual job," added Pleasants. "No one job is more important than the other."