SAN DIEGO – Airman Braden Western, a native of Plainfield, Indiana, was inspired to join the Navy to be of service to others and serve his country.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
Now, one year later, Western 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.
“It's enjoyable because I enjoy hanging out with the people I work with, so it doesn’t make it a chore to come to work,” Western said. “It's enjoybable to be at work.”
Western, a 2011 graduate of Plainfield High School, is an aviation electronics technician with HSM 49, a versatile squadron that’s capable of completing a number of important missions for the Navy with the MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopter.
“I’m responsible for maintaining the electronics in the aircraft,” said Western.
Western credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Plainfield.
“I learned if you're a hard worker and a good person and you have integrity, things will work out for the best,” said Western.
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.
“It's unique in the way it can be mission ready,” said Western.
Serving in the Navy means Western 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, Western is most proud of serving a bigger purpose.
"No matter how small my job is, someone needs to do it,” Western said.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Western and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“I'm carrying on the legacy of people who have come before me and keeping our country safe,” added Western.
“It's enjoyable because I enjoy hanging out with the people I work with, so it doesn’t make it a chore to come to work,” Western said. “It's enjoybable to be at work.”
Western, a 2011 graduate of Plainfield High School, is an aviation electronics technician with HSM 49, a versatile squadron that’s capable of completing a number of important missions for the Navy with the MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopter.
“I’m responsible for maintaining the electronics in the aircraft,” said Western.
Western credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Plainfield.
“I learned if you're a hard worker and a good person and you have integrity, things will work out for the best,” said Western.
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.
“It's unique in the way it can be mission ready,” said Western.
Serving in the Navy means Western 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, Western is most proud of serving a bigger purpose.
"No matter how small my job is, someone needs to do it,” Western said.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Western and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“I'm carrying on the legacy of people who have come before me and keeping our country safe,” added Western.