SAN DIEGO – Chief Petty Officer (Select) Evita Levell, a native of Newnan, Georgia, learned about what the U.S. Navy offered through a family member.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
"Mainly I wanted to get out of my city," Levell said. "I felt there was much more beyond Newnan. I also had a cousin who served in the Navy. As I got older, I learned more about the Navy and I liked what I was learning."
Now, 16 years later, Levell 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.
"Serving with this squadron has been an awesome experience so far,” Levell said. “I've met some great people and upper leadership continues to inspire me to be better than I am today.”
Levell, a 2003 graduate of Newnan High School, is an aviation machinist's mate 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 the power plans work center," Levell said. "I have 19 sailors that I manage. We do upkeep maintenance on engines, transmissions and oil systems. We also manage the functional check flights.”
Levell credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Newnan.
“I learned from my mom not to take things personally and no matter how hard something gets, keep pushing through and never give up,” said Levell.
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.
“The helicopter is unique for the troubleshooting we do," Levell said. "There's so much you can do to correct the issue. It's a mind probing situation.”
Serving in the Navy means Levell 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, Levell is most proud of being selected for promotion to chief petty officer.
“Everywhere you go in the Navy it's 'ask the chief,'" Levell said. "The chief is expected to have the answers. We hold the heritage of the Navy and everything the Navy upholds.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Levell 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 do what only one percent of the country is brave enough to do," Levell said. "I appreciate that I am able to make the sacrifices of being away from my daughter and my family to ensure that everyone else can contine to live their day-to-day lives knowng that we and the other branches are doing our due diligence to protect them and keep the country safe.”
Now, 16 years later, Levell 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.
"Serving with this squadron has been an awesome experience so far,” Levell said. “I've met some great people and upper leadership continues to inspire me to be better than I am today.”
Levell, a 2003 graduate of Newnan High School, is an aviation machinist's mate 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 the power plans work center," Levell said. "I have 19 sailors that I manage. We do upkeep maintenance on engines, transmissions and oil systems. We also manage the functional check flights.”
Levell credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Newnan.
“I learned from my mom not to take things personally and no matter how hard something gets, keep pushing through and never give up,” said Levell.
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.
“The helicopter is unique for the troubleshooting we do," Levell said. "There's so much you can do to correct the issue. It's a mind probing situation.”
Serving in the Navy means Levell 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, Levell is most proud of being selected for promotion to chief petty officer.
“Everywhere you go in the Navy it's 'ask the chief,'" Levell said. "The chief is expected to have the answers. We hold the heritage of the Navy and everything the Navy upholds.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Levell 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 do what only one percent of the country is brave enough to do," Levell said. "I appreciate that I am able to make the sacrifices of being away from my daughter and my family to ensure that everyone else can contine to live their day-to-day lives knowng that we and the other branches are doing our due diligence to protect them and keep the country safe.”