SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Isaac Pettis, a native of Robesonia, Pennsylvania, always wanted to be a Navy SEAL but found a different calling.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
“I was not the greatest at swimming, but I still wanted to serve and I love working with my hands,” said Pettis. “My dad was also in the military. He served in the Army for 26 years.”
Now, two and a half years later, Pettis 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.
“We are always busy, always working, but I love it," said Pettis. "It makes the days go by faster.”
Now, two and a half years later, Pettis 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.
“We are always busy, always working, but I love it," said Pettis. "It makes the days go by faster.”
Pettis, a 2015 graduate of Conrad Weiser High School, is an aviation structural mechanic with 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 maintenance and servicing to make sure the helicopters are kept up to date," said Pettis. "I touch every part of the aircraft except the engine.”
Pettis credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Robesonia.
“I learned the importance of manners, saying good morning sir or ma'am and please and thank you, a lot of people don't even do that anymore," said Pettis. "I like helping out everyone, not making excuses or asking why. My parents didn't allow a lot of back talk. We did what they said and developed a sense of respect. That made it easier in the military.”
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.
“We're an expeditionary squadron so we do a lot of detachments doing anti-submarine warfare and other stuff. We don't just fly around,” said Pettis.
Serving in the Navy means Pettis 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.
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, Pettis is most proud of getting promoted to petty officer ahead of his colleagues.
“I joined as an airman recruit with no specific job, and after two years, I've already picked up third class,” said Pettis.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Pettis and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means I can protect this country and have a sense of purpose knowing that my friends and family are living free,” said Pettis.