by Lt. Wesley Holzapfel, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication
Specialist 1st Class Robert Zahn
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2005 Lake
Weir High School graduate
and Ocala, Florida native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that
flies the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.
Petty Officer 1st Class
Tiasha Gaines is an aviation electronics
technician 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 an aviation electronics
technician, Gaines is responsible for navigation
communications and electronic systems on the helicopter.
“I played a lot of sports
growing up in Ocala," said Gaines. "Between that and being raised by a single parent I learned
to be independent and to push myself. There are no hand-outs.”
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.
Gaines said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that
readily defends America at all times.
“I never do the bare
minimum. I never complain when I work extra hours,” said Gaines.
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, Gaines is learning about being a more
respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous
responsibilities.
“It means everything to me
that I serve,” said Gaines. “I signed my contract when I was 17. The Navy has
defined me - as a woman and as an adult. Being in the Navy showed me life
outside of Ocala. There's no limit to my potential. I can go as far as I want -
I have complete control.”