by Lt. Wes Holzapfel, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication
Specialist 1st Class Robert Zhan
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 1997 Gorham
High School graduate and Gorham, Maine native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies
the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.
Chief Petty Officer
John Gagnon is a naval aircrewman (tactical helicopter) 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 a naval aircrewman,
Gagnon serves as a helicopter search and rescue swimmer.
“I learned early on to work
hard and to have dedication from my family,” said Gagnon. “Setting high goals and achieving those goals
are traits I take to my job each 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.
Gagnon said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that
readily defends America at all times.
“Being a part of this team has aided in my promotion to chief petty officer,” said Gagnon.
“This was my greatest accomplishment here thus far.”
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.
Serving in the Navy, Gagnon is learning about being a more
respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous
responsibilities.
“I am the first member of my immediate family to join the
military,” said Gagnon. “It’s a great honor to
serve the tax payer in the defense of this country. Serving, to me, also means I
have the great opportunity to lead and guide junior sailors.”