by Navy Office of Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2008 Capital High School graduate and Olympia,
Washington native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies
the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Carolina Grantham is an aviation
ordnanceman 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 an aviation ordnanceman, Grantham is responsible for weapons
systems for naval aviation.
“Being in my job is a cool experience,” said Grantham. “It's
something that a lot of people will never do.”
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.
Grantham said he and other HSM-48 sailors are proud to be
part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“This command has the type of leadership who is trying to
help sailors,” said Grantham.
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, Grantham is learning about being a more
respectable leader, sailor and person through handling numerous
responsibilities.
"The Navy has taught me that everyone you work with was
raised differently,” said Grantham. “You
learn how to interact and succeed with people from all kinds of backgrounds.”