(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2000 South Atlanta High School graduate and Atlanta, Georgia, native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.
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| Photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward |
Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Nwaneli credits much of their success from lessons they learned growing up in Atlanta.
“I learned that you have to take care of yourself,” said Nwaneli. "You have to have a ‘Plan B’ and be ready to adapt. And always have pride in what you do."
Nwaneli is a logistics specialist with the “Airwolves” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 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 logistics specialist, Nwaneli is responsible for ordering and maintaining supplies and providing logistical support to the command.
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.
Nwaneli is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.
“I am first generation to serve and proud to be representing my family,” said Nwaneli. “ In fact, I have inspired my younger brother to go to OCS to become an officer.”
Nwaneli said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I am still growing and learning,” said Nwaneli. “I had a sailor in my old command who I helped advance in rank. He caught up with me and it was so rewarding.”
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.
Nwaneli is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the 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.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon capital assets, Nwaneli and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
Serving in the Navy, Nwaneli is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“Serving in the Navy represents freedom,” said Nwaneli. “I have a daughter: I think she can be proud of my service and where she came from,”
“I learned that you have to take care of yourself,” said Nwaneli. "You have to have a ‘Plan B’ and be ready to adapt. And always have pride in what you do."
Nwaneli is a logistics specialist with the “Airwolves” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 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 logistics specialist, Nwaneli is responsible for ordering and maintaining supplies and providing logistical support to the command.
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.
Nwaneli is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.
“I am first generation to serve and proud to be representing my family,” said Nwaneli. “ In fact, I have inspired my younger brother to go to OCS to become an officer.”
Nwaneli said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I am still growing and learning,” said Nwaneli. “I had a sailor in my old command who I helped advance in rank. He caught up with me and it was so rewarding.”
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.
Nwaneli is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the 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.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon capital assets, Nwaneli and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
Serving in the Navy, Nwaneli is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“Serving in the Navy represents freedom,” said Nwaneli. “I have a daughter: I think she can be proud of my service and where she came from,”