SAN DIEGO – Lt. Bryan Wills, a native of Hagerstown, Maryland, was inspired to join the Navy for travel opportunities.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
“I wanted to serve and see the world,” Will said. “I thought it would be an exciting chapter of my life.”
Now, four years later, Wills serves with the Raptors of Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 71, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego.
“It's busy at this squadron,” Wills said. “I enjoy coming to work. Flying a few times a week is fun and getting to work with other pilots and sailors is rewarding.”
Wills, a graduate of North Hagerstown High School, is a pilot with HSM 71, 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 being an aviator and training for qualifications, I'm also the mission planning officer, which involves overseeing the requirements to plan and execute missions,” said Wills.
Now, four years later, Wills serves with the Raptors of Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 71, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego.
“It's busy at this squadron,” Wills said. “I enjoy coming to work. Flying a few times a week is fun and getting to work with other pilots and sailors is rewarding.”
Wills, a graduate of North Hagerstown High School, is a pilot with HSM 71, 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 being an aviator and training for qualifications, I'm also the mission planning officer, which involves overseeing the requirements to plan and execute missions,” said Wills.
Wills credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Hagerstown.
“I grew up with a close group of friends, great coaches and teachers, and a lot of great opportunities to learn and grow, which has helped me as a naval officer,” said Wills.
HSM 71'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 one of the best aircraft in the world,” Wills said. “It’s a great asset to the Navy. It has multi-mission capabilities and we have highly qualified crews that operate the aircraft.”
Serving in the Navy means Wills 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, Wills is most proud of earning his wings as a pilot.
“There's a lot of tradition behind naval aviation and it’s great to be part of a group of the best pilots in the world,” said Wills.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Wills 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 an important way to serve my country,” Will said. “It means an opportunity to work with incredible men and women who also serve their country and do my part to preserve the freedom we currently have.”