Friday, September 3, 2021

Laguna Hills native serves with Helicopter Squadron in San Diego

By Stephanie Fox, Navy Office of Community Outreach

SAN DIEGO – Lt. j.g. Hannah Crowley (Hjelmstrom), a native of Laguna Hills, California, serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class
Jesse Hawthorne

“I wasn't planning on joining the Navy, but I knew someone who wanted to go to the Naval Academy Summer Seminar,” said Crowley (Hjelmstrom). "We both applied and I got in. That's when I knew I wanted to apply for the Naval Academy. I spent a year after the seminar at a preparatory school and then transferred into the Naval Academy."

Crowley (Hjelmstrom) joined the Navy eight years ago. Today, Crowley (Hjelmstrom) 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 Laguna Hills, Crowley (Hjelmstrom) attended Laguna Hills High School and graduated in 2012. Today, Crowley (Hjelmstrom) uses the same skills and values learned in Laguna Hills to succeed in the military.

“Growing up, I was taught to not make excuses and to own my own mistakes,” said Crowley (Hjelmstrom). "That's helped me as a sailor because I’ve learned from my own mistakes and taken them as a way to better myself."

These lessons have helped Crowley (Hjelmstrom) 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 Crowley (Hjelmstrom) 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 contributes to national security by projecting American strength abroad,” said Crowley (Hjelmstrom). "We protect American ideals in established and developing nations."

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.”

Crowley (Hjelmstrom) and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“My proudest naval accomplishment has been earning my wings of gold and completing flight school in Pensacola, Florida,” said Crowley (Hjelmstrom).

As Crowley (Hjelmstrom) 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 job security and also having a purpose in what I am doing every single day when I go to work,” added Crowley (Hjelmstrom). "We're always training to meet the mission should the worst thing happen and we really focus on deterrence. We want to deter wars, but we're also ready to step up if needed."