by Navy Office of Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2005
Middleberg High School graduate and Middleburg, Florida
native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s
newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.
Lt. Robert
Mills is a pilot with the
“Vipers” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48, 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, Mills is responsible for commanding the MH-60R helicopter.
“I really like that my job is
constantly changing both in mission and atmosphere,” said Mills.
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.
Mills said he and other HSM-48 sailors
are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all
times.
“This is one of the best
groups of people I have had the opportunity to work with in my eight years of
service,” said Mills.
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 thing I love the most about being a part of this great
organization are the people,” said Cmdr. Jeff Hill, HSM-48’s commanding officer. “The level of commitment and
professionalism by every member of Viper Nation is second to none. But more importantly, they represent what’s
best about our nation and the generation of American’s dedicating their lives
to something bigger. Dedicating
themselves to making a difference.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what we do in Viper Nation, it’s
what we do in the Navy, we make a difference.”
Serving in the Navy, Mills
is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person through
handling numerous responsibilities.
"The Navy has taught me
the importance of team work and how to work effectivley with others,”
said Mills.