Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2015
Titusville High School graduate and Titusville, Pennsylvania native is serving with a U.S.
Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most
technologically-advanced helicopter.
Airman Anna Bauer is
a yeoman 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 yeoman, Bauer is
responsible for administratively supporting the personnel within the command.
“I’m happy to help
support the sailors here and help them be mission ready,” said Bauer.
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.
Bauer said she and
other HSM-46 sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily
defends America at all times.
“I enjoy the camaraderie
with the sailors at this command," said Bauer. "We are a very tight-knit group with a 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. Bauer is a big part of why we are so successful. She has a tireless work ethic, and embodies our squadron motto of ‘Set the Standard.’ I’m very proud of Bauer,” commented Commander Chris Richard, HSM-46
commanding officer.
Serving in the Navy, Bauer
said she is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person
through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The teamwork I have
learned while serving is crucial to accomplishing tasks with my fellow sailors,”
added Bauer.