By Stephanie Fox, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO – Lt. Spencer Jones, a native of Connersville, Indiana, serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California. |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to explore the world,” said Jones. "The idea of being in a new place every day seemed really cool. But as I learned more about serving, it became about wanting to be a part of something bigger than myself. I wanted to contribute to something positive."
Jones joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Jones 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 Connersville, Jones attended Connersville Senior High School and graduated in 2012. Today, Jones uses the same skills and values learned in Connersville to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I was taught by my parents to be the hardest worker in the room and to be the guy willing to stick with it, even if the job seems difficult,” said Jones. "If you do that, you can tackle pretty much anything that comes your way."
That lesson has helped Jones 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 Jones 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.
“National security is the overall feeling that you can wake up, go about your day and not have to worry about any foreign threats disrupting your routing,” said Jones. "The Navy maintains national security by having forces all across the globe ready to take action when needed and to keep any possible fight away from our shores."
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.”
Jones and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment was doing a medical evacuation in Guam,” said Jones. "We transferred a patient who was having uncontrollable seizures to the island to receive medical assistance. It was the culmination of years of training that allowed us to take someone who needed help and get them somewhere where they could receive medical aid.”
As Jones 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.
“To me, serving in the Navy means waking up in the morning, putting your best foot forward and doing all you can to live up to the oath you take when joining,” added Jones. "When you put on your uniform you keep your promise to the American people that you're going to work hard, keep the country safe and contribute to the Nation’s security."