SAN DIEGO – Lt. Gabriel Malate, a native of Atsugi, Japan, serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
“I grew up around the Navy,” said Malate. “My dad retired after 24 years in the Navy so that inspired me to join the Navy.”
Malate joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Malate serves with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN THREE (HSM 73) in San Diego, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters, the MH-60R Seahawk.
Growing up in Atsugi, Malate attended Zama American Middle High School and graduated in 2012. Today, Malate uses the same skills and values learned in Atsugi to succeed in the military.
“I learned the value of hard work primarily from my dad and seeing how much hard work he put in to helping better our lives,” said Malate.
That lesson has helped Malate while serving in the Navy.
Navy pilots and aircrew at HSM 73 constantly train to ensure they are prepared for peacetime and warfighting missions. According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the most capable multi-mission helicopter available in the world today. It is used for a variety of missions, including hunting and tracking enemy submarines, attacking enemy ships, search and rescue, drug interdiction, delivering supplies and supporting the Navy’s special operations forces.
"The BattleCats of HSM 73 proudly provide advanced mission capability and readiness to America's Navy,” said Cmdr. Rich “Speed” Christoff, HSM 73 commanding officer. “Our sailors come from every corner of the nation and the world, bringing their expertise and fighting spirit to a unit that I'm extremely proud to command."
Serving in the Navy means Malate 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 has the unique capability to be present anywhere in the world,” said Malate.” “It provides us the ability to look after our international interests and allies with very short notice.”
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.”
Malate and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of being designated as a Navy aviator,” said Malate. “It took a lot of training and hard work to get my wings.”
As Malate 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 being able to contribute to something bigger than myself,” added Malate. “I value leading and being accountable to my sailors.”