(MAYPORT, Fla.) – A 2008 Waukesha North High School graduate and Waukesha, Wisconsin 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 1st Class Mike Reynders credits much of their success from lessons they learned growing up in Waukesha.
“Growing up in my hometown I learned that your name is your bond,” said Reynders. "It ties right into integrity while you serve."
Reynders is an aviation machinist mate 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 machinist mate, Reynders is responsible for helicopter maintenance.
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.
Reynders is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.
“My stepfather served in the Navy and that was a part of my decision to join,” said Reynders. "I saw what the service did for him as a person, a father and so I inspired to have similar qualities."
Reynders said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I served eight years of my naval career with HSM 46 which took me all over the world and gave me my proudest accomplishments,” said Reynders.
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.
Reynders 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, Reynders and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
Serving in the Navy, Reynders is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“Serving in the Navy gives you the chance to meet people from all over the world from all walks of life,” said Reynders. "You move around and get the diversity wherever you go, which is addicting."
“Growing up in my hometown I learned that your name is your bond,” said Reynders. "It ties right into integrity while you serve."
Reynders is an aviation machinist mate 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 machinist mate, Reynders is responsible for helicopter maintenance.
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.
Reynders is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.
“My stepfather served in the Navy and that was a part of my decision to join,” said Reynders. "I saw what the service did for him as a person, a father and so I inspired to have similar qualities."
Reynders said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I served eight years of my naval career with HSM 46 which took me all over the world and gave me my proudest accomplishments,” said Reynders.
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.
Reynders 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, Reynders and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
Serving in the Navy, Reynders is learning about being a more respectable leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“Serving in the Navy gives you the chance to meet people from all over the world from all walks of life,” said Reynders. "You move around and get the diversity wherever you go, which is addicting."