By Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Sunday Sawyer Juarez
(MAYPORT,
Fla.) – A 2013 Edison High School graduate and Huntington
Beach, California native
is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest
and most technologically-advanced helicopter.
Airman Thomas Arutunian is an aviation electrician’s mate with
the “Airwolves” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 40, 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 electrician’s mate, Arutunian is responsible
for maintaining the helicopter and ensuring it is mission ready.
“I love working on the helicopters, it is by far the coolest
job I have ever had in my life," said Arutunian. "I truly enjoy coming to work every day."
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.
Arutunian said he and other sailors are proud to be part of
a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I like how this command is constantly busy and that my day is full," said Arutunian. "I
enjoy that I always have something to do and the beach is right outside as well
and that is awesome.”
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied within the squadron.
Approximately 297 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 Air Wolves of HSM-40, represent the best and the
brightest our Navy has to offer,” said Cmdr. David Loo, HSM-40 commanding
officer. “HSM-40's mission
is to train Fleet Replacement Pilots and Aircrewmen for deployed shipboard
operations in the MH-60R Seahawk aircraft.
The training conducted includes aircraft flights and full visual
simulators in Aircraft Operations, Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine
Warfare, Search and Rescue, and Shipboard Operations. HSM-40’s support, maintenance, and instructor
staff allow for the completion of over 100 assigned students, year round,
operating 16 MH-60R helicopters and 5 simulators.”
Serving in the
Navy, Arutunian is
learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person through
handling numerous responsibilities.
"The Navy has really taught me about respect, not only
for other people but for myself,” said Arutunian.