Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2017 Penn Yan Academy in New York graduate and Fortuna, California, native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two (HSC-2) at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia.
Airman Ian Bartee is a Naval aircrewman serving with the Fleet Angels, a versatile squadron that’s capable of completing a number of important missions for the Navy with the MH-60S “Knighthawk” helicopter.
A Naval aircrewman is responsible for flying in the helicopters in case of search and rescue missions.
Bartee credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Fortuna.
“I was taught the importance of hard work and not quitting,” said Bartee. “The job has to get done in the Navy and you can't give up.”
HSC-2 trains more than 1,500 pilots, aircrewmen and aviation students annually. Squadron members train those who will fly and maintain the MH-60S helicopter in a variety of missions, including fleet logistics support, medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
When flying the “Knighthawk” helicopter, members of the Fleet Angels search for surface ships, support special operations forces, conduct combat search and rescue missions, and perform other military operations around the world.
“We get to fly in helicopters which is really fun,” said Bartee. “There are guys here I went to boot camp with so I have been able to build great friendships as well.”
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Bartee is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Bartee, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Bartee is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My dad was in the Navy,” said Bartee. “The Navy took care of my family and he really enjoyed it. I saw that he was able to get a college education out of it as well.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Bartee and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means doing my duty to my country,” added Bartee.
A Naval aircrewman is responsible for flying in the helicopters in case of search and rescue missions.
Bartee credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Fortuna.
“I was taught the importance of hard work and not quitting,” said Bartee. “The job has to get done in the Navy and you can't give up.”
HSC-2 trains more than 1,500 pilots, aircrewmen and aviation students annually. Squadron members train those who will fly and maintain the MH-60S helicopter in a variety of missions, including fleet logistics support, medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
When flying the “Knighthawk” helicopter, members of the Fleet Angels search for surface ships, support special operations forces, conduct combat search and rescue missions, and perform other military operations around the world.
“We get to fly in helicopters which is really fun,” said Bartee. “There are guys here I went to boot camp with so I have been able to build great friendships as well.”
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Bartee is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Bartee, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Bartee is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My dad was in the Navy,” said Bartee. “The Navy took care of my family and he really enjoyed it. I saw that he was able to get a college education out of it as well.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Bartee and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means doing my duty to my country,” added Bartee.