SAN DIEGO – Chief Petty Officer Ryan Pulliam, a native of Tampa, Florida, wanted to get out and see the world and have a respectable career.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
“My family was Navy for three generations,” said Pulliam, “I picked up the torch and became the fourth.”
Now, 10 years later, Pulliam 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.
“Every day is an adventure and a challenge," said Pulliam. "There's always something that needs to be done and something to be learned. That's been the best part for me, I learn something new every day.”
Now, 10 years later, Pulliam 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.
“Every day is an adventure and a challenge," said Pulliam. "There's always something that needs to be done and something to be learned. That's been the best part for me, I learn something new every day.”
Pulliam, a 2004 graduate of Bloomingdale High School in Brandon, is an aviation electronics technician 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 the avionics systems and the technicians that service them,” said Pulliam. “Communications, navigation and weapons systems all require a lot of trouble shooting and technical knowledge.”
Pulliam credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Tampa.
“The big three I remember are; be kind, be honest and be honorable," said Pulliam. "Even when those things are the difficult road to take.”
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 the only helicopter in the Navy that deploys on guided missile destroyers and cruisers," said Pulliam. "I've never set foot on an aircraft carrier. I love serving on the smaller ships.”
Serving in the Navy means Pulliam 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, Pulliam is most proud of assisting with the disaster relief efforts after the Japan earthquake in 2011.
“That was the first time in my life that I knew I was making a big difference in the world," said Pulliam. "I was part of the team that kept those helicopters flying delivering food and water and clothes to the people of Japan that were impacted by that disaster.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Pulliam 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 being able to put everybody else in front of yourself," said Pulliam. "You're serving your country, your Navy and your shipmates and being a positive influence.”