SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class Tanner Mahoney, a native of Vacaville, California, was inspired to join the Navy for training opportunities.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
Now, four years later, Mahoney serves with the Chargers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (14), working with one of the Navy's true workhorse aircraft at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego.
“Serving with this squadron is a lot of work and lots of flying,” said Mahoney.
Mahoney, a 2012 graduate of Vacaville High School, is a naval aircrewman with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (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 executing any mission that the helicopter does," Mahoney said. "For me that includes crew chief, aircraft mechanic and servicing, search and rescue, aireal gunnery and logistics.”
Mahoney credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Vacaville.
“I learned the importance of not getting complacent," Mahoney said. "Just keep moving forward.”
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.
“Nothing is the same working with this aircraft," Mahoney said. "You're always doing something different. There are so many mission sets. There's always something to be training for or improving on.”
Serving in the Navy means Mahoney 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, Mahoney is most proud of sailing around the world and going to every time zone.
“Most people never leave the country and some people never leave their hometown,” said Mahoney.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy's most relied upon assets, Mahoney 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 opportunity for life experiences,” said Mahoney.
“Serving with this squadron is a lot of work and lots of flying,” said Mahoney.
Mahoney, a 2012 graduate of Vacaville High School, is a naval aircrewman with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (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 executing any mission that the helicopter does," Mahoney said. "For me that includes crew chief, aircraft mechanic and servicing, search and rescue, aireal gunnery and logistics.”
Mahoney credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Vacaville.
“I learned the importance of not getting complacent," Mahoney said. "Just keep moving forward.”
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.
“Nothing is the same working with this aircraft," Mahoney said. "You're always doing something different. There are so many mission sets. There's always something to be training for or improving on.”
Serving in the Navy means Mahoney 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, Mahoney is most proud of sailing around the world and going to every time zone.
“Most people never leave the country and some people never leave their hometown,” said Mahoney.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy's most relied upon assets, Mahoney 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 opportunity for life experiences,” said Mahoney.