SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Uarian Langerston, a native of Berkeley, California, serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
“The Navy was the best choice for me,” said Langerston. “I had a friend who joined and his experience sounded fun and inspired me to join.”
Langerston joined the Navy nine and a half years ago. Today, Langerston serves with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX (HSC 6) in San Diego, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters, the MH-60S Knighthawk.
Growing up in Berkeley, Langerston attended College Park High School and graduated in 2009. Today, Langerston uses the same skills and values learned in Berkeley to succeed in the military.
“The life lessons I've learned being in different environments has made me more adaptable and able to not stress out over little things,” said Langerston.
That lesson has helped Langerston while serving in the Navy.
Navy pilots and aircrew at HSC 6 constantly train to ensure they are prepared for peacetime and warfighting missions. The mission set of the MH-60S includes anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, vertical replenishment, logistics support, personnel transport, humanitarian disaster relief, medical evacuation, support to Naval Special Warfare and organic airborne mine countermeasures. MH-60S helicopters are also equipped with the ability to conduct replenishments at sea, search and rescue missions and enable other operations for the carrier strike group.
“For over 60 years, HSC 6 has provided all-weather rotary wing operations to America’s Navy," said Cmdr. Charles A. Chmielak, HSC 6’s commanding officer. "Whether it’s recovering the astronauts of Apollo 14 after they returned to Earth, or deploying around the world to preserve free and open sea lanes, our highly trained sailors have always answered the call, wherever and whenever the nation needs them.”
Serving in the Navy means Langerston is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus, rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“We provide a big blanket of security because we are everywhere,” said Langerston. “Between our equipment capabilities, our aircraft and ships are able to do many things. These capabilities act as a deterrence for our enemies.”
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Langerston and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of a moment when we were flying back from Fallon, Nevada, and we had to make an emergency landing,” said Langerston. “There was a problem with the aircraft and I was able to fix the problem, so we were able to continue our mission and make it back home safely. It gave me a sense of accomplishment.”
As Langerston and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“The Navy gives me stability in my life and I'm proud that I'm doing my part for my country,” added Langerston.
Navy pilots and aircrew at HSC 6 constantly train to ensure they are prepared for peacetime and warfighting missions. The mission set of the MH-60S includes anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, vertical replenishment, logistics support, personnel transport, humanitarian disaster relief, medical evacuation, support to Naval Special Warfare and organic airborne mine countermeasures. MH-60S helicopters are also equipped with the ability to conduct replenishments at sea, search and rescue missions and enable other operations for the carrier strike group.
“For over 60 years, HSC 6 has provided all-weather rotary wing operations to America’s Navy," said Cmdr. Charles A. Chmielak, HSC 6’s commanding officer. "Whether it’s recovering the astronauts of Apollo 14 after they returned to Earth, or deploying around the world to preserve free and open sea lanes, our highly trained sailors have always answered the call, wherever and whenever the nation needs them.”
Serving in the Navy means Langerston is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus, rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“We provide a big blanket of security because we are everywhere,” said Langerston. “Between our equipment capabilities, our aircraft and ships are able to do many things. These capabilities act as a deterrence for our enemies.”
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Langerston and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of a moment when we were flying back from Fallon, Nevada, and we had to make an emergency landing,” said Langerston. “There was a problem with the aircraft and I was able to fix the problem, so we were able to continue our mission and make it back home safely. It gave me a sense of accomplishment.”
As Langerston and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“The Navy gives me stability in my life and I'm proud that I'm doing my part for my country,” added Langerston.