SAN DIEGO – Airman Ashley Carreon, a native of Hockley, Texas, serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to travel and get more life experience,” said Carreon.
Carreon joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Carreon serves with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX (HSC 6) in San Diego, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters.
Growing up in Hockley, Carreon attended New Heights Christian Academy and graduated in 2018. Today, Carreon uses the same skills and values learned in Hockley to succeed in the military.
“Honesty is a big lesson I learned growing up and to stick to my commitments,” said Carreon. “In my line of work, I think it's important to be honest especially to myself and what I want to do.”
These lessons have helped Carreon 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 Carreon 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.
“The Navy gives people the security of knowing that we are out there in the ocean protecting our waterways,” said Carreon.
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.”
Carreon and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm glad that I made it through my first deployment,” said Carreon. “It was 11 months long and it set up my expectations. I know that if I can get through that tough situation, I can make it through anything.”
As Carreon 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.
“Serving in the Navy means that I can provide for my family and I’m honoring my country,” added Carreon.
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 Carreon 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.
“The Navy gives people the security of knowing that we are out there in the ocean protecting our waterways,” said Carreon.
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.”
Carreon and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm glad that I made it through my first deployment,” said Carreon. “It was 11 months long and it set up my expectations. I know that if I can get through that tough situation, I can make it through anything.”
As Carreon 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.
“Serving in the Navy means that I can provide for my family and I’m honoring my country,” added Carreon.