By Dusty Good, Navy Office of Community Outreach
(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2007 South Fork High School graduate and Stuart, Florida 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 |
Lt. Leighton Pleasants credits much of their success from lessons they learned growing up in Stuart.
“Growing up in Stuart I learned hard work and good study habits,” said Pleasants. "It's helped me to excel in my profession."
Pleasants is a 2011 of University of Florida with degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering.
Pleasants is an pilot 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 pilot, Pleasants is responsible for flying the MH-60R helicopter.
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.
Pleasants is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.
“My father was a missile technician for submarines in the Navy,” said Pleasants. "His history of service in the Navy pushed me to pursue a flight career in the Navy."
Pleasants said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
Pleasants is an pilot 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 pilot, Pleasants is responsible for flying the MH-60R helicopter.
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.
Pleasants is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.
“My father was a missile technician for submarines in the Navy,” said Pleasants. "His history of service in the Navy pushed me to pursue a flight career in the Navy."
Pleasants said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I was the helicopter pilot of the year for the Atlantic region in 2017,” said Pleasants.
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.
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.
Pleasants 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, Pleasants and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
Serving in the Navy, Pleasants is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
Serving in the Navy, Pleasants is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“Serving means devoting your life to serving your country honorably,” said Pleasants.