SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Jose Mendez, a native of Palmdale, California, 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 had just gotten married and I wanted a way to support my family,” said Mendez. "The Navy has provided that for me."
Mendez joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Mendez 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 Palmdale, Mendez attended Highland High School and graduated in 2006. Today, Mendez uses the same skills and values learned in Palmdale to succeed in the military.
“I grew up in a diverse community and was taught to listen and learn from those around me,” said Mendez. "That's helped me in the Navy because sailors come from all over the country to serve and we all get to learn from each other and work together to complete the mission."
That lesson has helped Mendez 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 Mendez 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.
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.”
Mendez and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is allowing myself to learn from everyone in the Navy before me and now having the chance to share that same information with the new sailors that have come after me,” said Mendez.
As Mendez 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 a lot to me,” added Mendez. "It gives me a feeling of fulfillment because I'm able to take care of my family and help people around me."