SAN DIEGO – Lt. Alexis Wylie, a native of Sandia Park, New Mexico, 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 be a naval aviator,” said Wylie.
Wylie joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Wylie 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 Sandia Park, Wylie attended Manzano High School and graduated in 2012. Today, Wylie uses the same skills and values learned in Sandia Park to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I was taught to work with a diverse group of people,” said Wylie. "In the Navy, we all come from across the world with different educations and backgrounds. Still, we get to work together and accomplish the same mission."
These lessons continue to help Wylie 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 Wylie 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 keeping citizens safe both locally and abroad,” said Wylie.
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.”
Wylie and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is earning my wings in May of 2019 and becoming qualified to serve as an aircrew member aboard military aircraft,” said Wylie.
As Wylie 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 that my friends and family get to stay home, live their lives and not have to worry about anything threatening the American way of life we've all come to know and love,” added Wylie.