NORFOLK, Va. - Airman Elijah Washington, a native of Tampa, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mark Pena, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East |
Washington graduated from Robinson High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Tampa.
“I grew up with an Army master sergeant for a father, so right away I learned that respect was key,” Washington said. "I was born in Okinawa when my father was stationed there and I worked at MacDill Air Force Base when I was in high school, so I feel like this life was meant to be."
Washington joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Washington serves as an aviation electrician's mate.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to do something better with my life, and after participating in Junior ROTC at my high school, serving appealed to me even more,” Washington said. "I've also always liked aviation, and growing up near MacDill seeing the planes almost daily, I knew I never wanted to be without them. I knew if I wanted to work in aviation, I needed to be serious about it, and joining the Navy was the best way to do that."
Members of HSC-5 fly and maintain the MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter within Carrier Air Wing SEVEN (CVW-7). The MH-60S's primary missions are Search and Rescue, Naval Special Warfare Support and Anti-Surface Warfare. Additional missions include logistic support, vertical replenishment, medical evacuation, non-combatant evacuation operations and maritime interdiction operations. In short, HSC-5 "Rescues, Protects and Delivers!"
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Washington has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment has been coming out of my introvert shell and learning to talk more and be more assertive,” Washington said. "I know I still have a ways to go in communicating with people but the aviation community fosters that."
Washington serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of pride,” Washington said. "I have pride in the work I do and in myself knowing I represent this country. If I were able to tell the younger me who was drawing airplanes as a six-year-old that he was going to someday fix those planes, that kid would be so happy and excited."
Washington has several goals for their Navy career.
“I want to go to college and get my degree in aerospace engineering,” Washington said. "I also plan on retiring from the Navy and I want to get my pilot’s license.
Washington is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my father, Willie Washington, for setting a fire under me to make something of myself,” Washington added. "I also want to thank my mother, Cynthia, for giving me a path to follow that would lead me to success."