Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2000
Washburn Rural High School graduate and Topeka, Kansas native is serving with a
U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most
technologically-advanced helicopter.
Petty Officer 1st
Class Tim Drexler is an aviation machinist's mate 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
machinist's mate, Drexler is responsible for the maintenance of the helicopters and
supervision of junior airman within the squadron.
“I like the every day
challenge of this job and having to constantly adapt and overcome when a
problem arises,” said Drexler.
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.
Drexler said they and
other HSM-46 sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily
defends America at all times.
“I enjoy being on a
winning team," said Drexler. "We have proven to be the best squadron in the Mayport area."
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. Drexler 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 Drexler,” commented Commander Chris Richard, HSM-46
commanding officer.
Serving in the Navy, Drexler
said he is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person
through handling numerous responsibilities.
“I feel like
everything I know, I've learned from the Navy,” added Drexler.