by Navy Office of Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2010 Doctor Phillips High School
graduate and Orlando, Florida 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 Dwayne Overstreet is an aviation
maintenance administrationman 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 maintenance administrationman, Overstreet is
responsible for handling the paperwork for all of the aircraft and no maintenance
can take place until that paperwork is done.
“I deal with servers and computers and I really enjoy that
work," said Overstreet. "I went to school for two and a half months for special training so that I
can help detachments operate at sea and I really love it."
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.
Overstreet said he and other HSM-48 sailors are proud to be
part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I think the people are really great here, everyone is
really nice and the command here really looks out for us,” said Overstreet.
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, Overstreet is learning about being a
more respectable leader, sailor and person through handling numerous
responsibilities.
"I've gained a lot since joining the Navy," said Overstreet. "The biggest thing for me has been discipline. I was
not very disciplined before I came in and the Navy has taught me how to do that
which has helped me better myself personally and professionally."