SAN DIEGO – Lt. Tyler Thomas, a native of Georgetown, Ohio, had a strong military history in his family.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
“Both my grandfather and grandmother on my mother's side were in the Army during World War II,” said Thomas. “My grandfather on my father's side served in Korea. I've got uncles and cousins in the Navy.”
Thomas serves with the Scorpions of Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 49, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego.
“As a pilot, I get to fly in Southern California. There's a lot to see. That's the home life," said Thomas. "Deployment is interesting as well. It's the most capable helicopter that's ever been made. The missions are interesting and the opportunity to visit foreign ports is exciting.”
Thomas serves with the Scorpions of Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 49, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego.
“As a pilot, I get to fly in Southern California. There's a lot to see. That's the home life," said Thomas. "Deployment is interesting as well. It's the most capable helicopter that's ever been made. The missions are interesting and the opportunity to visit foreign ports is exciting.”
Thomas, a 2007 graduate of Georgetown High School, flies with a versatile squadron that’s capable of completing a number of important missions for the Navy with the MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopter.
“In addition to flying the helicopter, I'm the squadron safety officer," said Thomas. "I keep track of everyone here, making sure they are safe to operate and maintain the aircraft.”
Thomas credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Georgetown.
“Take care of things as soon as you can so you are prepared for anything that comes up the next day. Live life with intent,” said Thomas.
HSM 49's primary mission is to conduct sea control operations in open-ocean and coastal environments as an expeditionary unit. This includes hunting for submarines, searching for surface targets over the horizon and conducting search and rescue operations.
According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the Navy's new primary maritime dominance helicopter. Greatly enhanced over its predecessors, the MH-60R helicopter features a glass cockpit and significant mission system improvements, which give it unmatched capability as an airborne multi-mission naval platform.
As the U.S. Navy's next generation submarine hunter and anti-surface warfare helicopter, the MH-60R "Romeo" is the cornerstone of the Navy's Helicopter Concept of Operations. Anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare are the MH-60R's primary missions. Secondary missions include search and rescue, medical evacuation, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, communications relay, command, control, communications, command and control warfare and non-combat operations.
“Every day it's something different," said Thomas. "We might be doing a medevac or providing humanitarian assistance or searching for a submarine.”
Serving in the Navy means Thomas is part of a community that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
America is a maritime nation, and 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.
“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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Thomas is most proud of making aircraft commander.
“That's our big qualification. It took a lot of studying and hard work,” said Thomas. “It's definitely one of those things that is earned, not given. They run you through the wringer.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Thomas and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“By serving in the Navy, you never have to wonder if you made a difference," said Thomas. "You get to see the world and you get to help some people out. I've been on several life-saving missions.”