SAN DIEGO – Lt. j.g. Ben Bushong, a native of Hagerstown, Maryland, was inspired to join the Navy his family.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
“My dad and grandpa were both pilots,” Bushong said. “I always knew I was never meant for a 9-5 desk job, so the Navy didn't seem like a bad option.”
Now, three years later, Bushong 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.
“I really like it here,” Bushong said. “It's a real close community and we're a little bit smaller than other squadrons, but it makes it more personable, which I like.”
Bushong, a 2012 graduate of North Hagerstown High School, is a pilot with Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 49, 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, I’m also in charge of two detachments in maintenance so that's kind of rewarding because I get to work with enlisted maintainers and nominate them for awards,” said Bushong.
Bushong credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Hagerstown.
“We moved a lot growing up,” Bushong said. “Moving around a lot and meeting new people has prepared me for the military lifestyle. It's been pretty helpful.”
Helicopter Maritime Squadron (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.
Now, three years later, Bushong 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.
“I really like it here,” Bushong said. “It's a real close community and we're a little bit smaller than other squadrons, but it makes it more personable, which I like.”
Bushong, a 2012 graduate of North Hagerstown High School, is a pilot with Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 49, 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, I’m also in charge of two detachments in maintenance so that's kind of rewarding because I get to work with enlisted maintainers and nominate them for awards,” said Bushong.
Bushong credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Hagerstown.
“We moved a lot growing up,” Bushong said. “Moving around a lot and meeting new people has prepared me for the military lifestyle. It's been pretty helpful.”
Helicopter Maritime Squadron (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.
“I think a lot of people underestimate how much capabilities the aircraft has,” Bushong said. “I like flying low and slow as opposed to up in the clouds. I also like the crew mentailty where you have a lot of people on board working together.”
Serving in the Navy means Bushong is part of a world 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.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that 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, Bushong is most proud of earning his wings as a pilot.
“To make it through is a pretty big thing,” Bushong said. “It's also cool to be another family member who also got their wings.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Bushong and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy is pretty rewarding,” Bushong said. “Not only do you get to see the world, but knowing you're making a difference at the same time is pretty satisfying. It's such a big community and how everyone has to work together to accomplish a goal is pretty spectacular.”