by Navy Office of Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2007 West Springfield High School
graduate and Springfield, Virginia native is serving with a U.S. Navy
helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most
technologically-advanced helicopter.
Lt. j.g. Chip Horan 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, Horan is responsible for flying the MH-60R
helicopter.
“Being a pilot gives me the opportunity to fly into a lot of
different places,” said Horan. "We all work as a big team to accomplish
the mission."
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.
Horan 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 great people who are super friendly and
super helpful,” said Horan. "These are the kind of people who would give
you the shirt off their back."
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, Horan is learning about being a more
respectable leader, sailor and person through handling numerous
responsibilities.
"The Navy has taught me self accountability,” said Horan.
"They do a really good job of giving you the leeway to become a really
good leader and foster a good leadership environment.”