MAYPORT, Fla. - Lt. Logan Dahle, a native of Thornwood, New York, serves with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 40, based out of Mayport, Florida. The squadron’s primary mission is to conduct sea control operations in open-ocean and coastal environments. This includes hunting for submarines, searching for surface targets over the horizon and conducting search and rescue operations.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Dahle, a 2008 graduate of West Lake High School, joined the Navy 11 years ago. Additionally, Dahle graduated from University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.
“I joined the Navy to see the world and get out of my hometown,” said Dahle. "I initially enlisted in 2012 and applied for and got selected to Officer Candidate School in 2015."
Today, Dahle relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Thornwood to succeed in the military.
“Growing up I participated in track, wrestling and football, and with that experience, I learned how to be a team player,” said Dahle. "The lessons I learned from team sports directly transferred over to the Navy. One of those lessons is that it's not about the individual's success but the team as a whole."
These lessons have helped Dahle while serving in the Navy.
HSM 40 flies the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. The MH-60R is a twin-engine helicopter used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, drug interdiction, anti-ship warfare, cargo lift, and special operations, according to Navy officials.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."
Serving in the Navy means Dahle is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The U.S. Navy supports national defense and provides a deterrence from our adversaries and are deployable at a moment's notice,” said Dahle.
Dahle and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I started as an enlisted service member working on the same helicopters I teach sailors how to operate now,” said Dahle. "Seeing those students I teach now and watching them take what we have taught them and go on to lead others, makes me feel proud of them."
As Dahle and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy makes me feel proud to give back, and it also makes my family proud as well,” said Dahle. "I've always wanted to fly and lead people, and serving has given me those opportunities."
Dahle is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife, Chelsea, my daughter, Hali, and my son, Liam, for being supportive throughout my career in the Navy,” added Dahle. "I would also like to thank my mom and dad for pushing me through high school and college from a young age, and helping me achieve my goals."