SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Driscoll, a native of Dover, New Hampshire, serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
Driscoll joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Driscoll 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 Dover, Driscoll attended Dover High School and graduated in 2013. Today, Driscoll uses the same skills and values learned in Dover to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I was taught to never underestimate what people bring to the table,” said Driscoll. "In the Navy we have people serving from all over with different levels of formal education. Some of the smartest people I work with in the Navy barely finished high school."
These lessons have helped Driscoll 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 Driscoll 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.
“I think the Navy contributes to national security by our global power projection,” said Driscoll. "We saw on deployment that smaller nations and our allies aren't scared to stand up for themselves because they know we have their backs and we aren't that far away."
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.”
Driscoll and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is contributing to a medical evacuation incident where we had the chance to help save lives,” said Driscoll. "It's weird to talk about. Librarians don't brag about putting away books. Why should we brag about saving lives? It's just part of the job."
As Driscoll 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.
“When I first joined the Navy it used to be about just having fun and I just happened to be helping others,” added Driscoll. "After being in for a few years, the fun started coming from helping others and watching junior sailors improve."