(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2008 Capital High School graduate and Olympia, Washington 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 Petty Officer Gary Ward |
Petty Officer 2nd Class Carolina Grantham credits much of their success from lessons they learned growing up in Olympia.
“Growing up in Olympia taught me to have integrity and a good work ethic,” said Grantham. "Serving, that lesson allows people to trust you and know you are reliable."
Grantham is an aviation ordnanceman 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 an aviation ordnanceman, Grantham is responsible for storage, servicing, inspecting and handling of all types of weapons.
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.
Grantham is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.
“I joined the Navy for the educational opportunities,” said Grantham. "I plan on graduating with a degree in criminal justice and the Navy gives me the opportunity to pursue that."
Grantham said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“My proudest accomplishment is being able to have earned three warfare pins,” said Grantham. "It was the one thing that I worked really hard for that wasn't mandatory and I pursued it on my own."
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.
Grantham 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, Grantham and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
Serving in the Navy, Grantham is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of financial security,” said Grantham. "I take great pride in being in the Navy."
“Growing up in Olympia taught me to have integrity and a good work ethic,” said Grantham. "Serving, that lesson allows people to trust you and know you are reliable."
Grantham is an aviation ordnanceman 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 an aviation ordnanceman, Grantham is responsible for storage, servicing, inspecting and handling of all types of weapons.
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.
Grantham is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.
“I joined the Navy for the educational opportunities,” said Grantham. "I plan on graduating with a degree in criminal justice and the Navy gives me the opportunity to pursue that."
Grantham said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“My proudest accomplishment is being able to have earned three warfare pins,” said Grantham. "It was the one thing that I worked really hard for that wasn't mandatory and I pursued it on my own."
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.
Grantham 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, Grantham and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
Serving in the Navy, Grantham is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of financial security,” said Grantham. "I take great pride in being in the Navy."