SAN DIEGO – Lt. j.g. Mitchell Dressing, a native of Beachwood, New Jersey, was inspired to join the Navy by his father and an affinity for aviation.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
“I always had a desire growing up to join the military,” Dressing said. “My dad was a commercial pilot and he was a big influence. I wanted to fly and do it in the military at the same time.”
Now, four years later, Dressing serves with the Chargers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, working with one of the Navy’s true workhorse aircraft at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego.
“This squadron is busy and I feel like I'm learning things every single day” Dressing said. “It’s a great opportunity to develop various skills. It’s challenging overall but it’s a good life.”
Dressing, a 2011 graduate of Toms River South High School, is a pilot with HSC 14, a versatile squadron that’s capable of completing a number of important missions for the Navy with the MH-60S “Seahawk” helicopter.
“I’m responsible for safely conducting flights to meet our mission and the Navy's mission,” said Dressing.
Dressing credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Beachwood.
“I learned the importance of being prepared and maintaining discipline in your life,” Dressing said.
HSC 14 provides all-weather, combat-ready aircraft and crew to conduct anti-surface warfare, personnel recovery, special warfare support, search and rescue, and logistics for aircraft carrier air wings and navy shore installations. HSC 14 flies the MH-60S “Seahawk” helicopter, a state-of-the-art design that provides the Navy with true versatility, able to complete a number of mission requirements, according to Navy officials.
The MH-60S with its glass cockpit incorporates active matrix LCD displays, used to facilitate pilot and co-pilot vertical and horizontal situation presentations. Another major design of the MH-60S is a "common cockpit," which is shared with the MH-60R. This allows pilots to shift from one aircraft to another with minimal re-training.
“It’s a very capable aircraft,” Dressing said. “There are a lot of mission sets that it can do. It’s a very fun aircraft to fly. It’s very powerful.”
Serving in the Navy means Dressing 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, Dressing is most proud of earning his wings as a pilot.
“It took a lot of hard work to do it, but I couldn’t have accomplished it without the support from my family, friends and peers,” said Dressing.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Dressing 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 is a big chance to give back and know that you’re serving for others, not just yourself,” Dressing said. “It gives you a sense of pride and satisfaction.”
Now, four years later, Dressing serves with the Chargers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, working with one of the Navy’s true workhorse aircraft at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego.
“This squadron is busy and I feel like I'm learning things every single day” Dressing said. “It’s a great opportunity to develop various skills. It’s challenging overall but it’s a good life.”
Dressing, a 2011 graduate of Toms River South High School, is a pilot with HSC 14, a versatile squadron that’s capable of completing a number of important missions for the Navy with the MH-60S “Seahawk” helicopter.
“I’m responsible for safely conducting flights to meet our mission and the Navy's mission,” said Dressing.
Dressing credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Beachwood.
“I learned the importance of being prepared and maintaining discipline in your life,” Dressing said.
HSC 14 provides all-weather, combat-ready aircraft and crew to conduct anti-surface warfare, personnel recovery, special warfare support, search and rescue, and logistics for aircraft carrier air wings and navy shore installations. HSC 14 flies the MH-60S “Seahawk” helicopter, a state-of-the-art design that provides the Navy with true versatility, able to complete a number of mission requirements, according to Navy officials.
The MH-60S with its glass cockpit incorporates active matrix LCD displays, used to facilitate pilot and co-pilot vertical and horizontal situation presentations. Another major design of the MH-60S is a "common cockpit," which is shared with the MH-60R. This allows pilots to shift from one aircraft to another with minimal re-training.
“It’s a very capable aircraft,” Dressing said. “There are a lot of mission sets that it can do. It’s a very fun aircraft to fly. It’s very powerful.”
Serving in the Navy means Dressing 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, Dressing is most proud of earning his wings as a pilot.
“It took a lot of hard work to do it, but I couldn’t have accomplished it without the support from my family, friends and peers,” said Dressing.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Dressing 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 is a big chance to give back and know that you’re serving for others, not just yourself,” Dressing said. “It gives you a sense of pride and satisfaction.”