SAN DIEGO - Lt. Ryan Velunta, a native of San Diego, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Velunta graduated from Scripps Ranch High School in 2011. Additionally, Velunta earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in information systems from San Diego State University in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in San Diego.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of communication, making sure everybody is on the same page and staying persistent,” Velunta said. “Flying is very dangerous so being able to clearly communicate with your crew helps with the mission and overall safety.”
Velunta joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Velunta serves as a pilot.
“Serving in the Navy is a family legacy for me,” Velunta said. “My dad was an aviation structural mechanic. He worked on helicopters. That had a lot of influence on me wanting to continue the legacy of military service. I had a lot of exposure to the Navy through him and also just growing up in San Diego, a big Navy city inspired me. I always saw a lot of helicopters, jets and all kinds of aircraft flying around.”
Members of HSM 71 fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Velunta has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of earning my wings,” Velunta said. “It was a long process with three years of flight school. It was very stressful and it was a grind, but with persistence, I achieved the goal I set out to.”
Velunta serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means continuing my family’s legacy,” Velunta said. “My family was serving this country before me.”
Velunta is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my dad, Renato Velunta, for inspiring me and keeping me focused, especially through flight school, which was stressful,” Velunta added. “He talked to me about what to expect, and I had a seamless transition. I also want to thank my family for their support. I want to thank my significant other, Meghan, as well for her support, accountability and for being there when I needed her. We’ve been long-distance throughout flight school, but we made it work. She helped me keep a work-life balance. I also want to thank the friends I made through flight school. I couldn’t have done it without them. We held each other accountable and helped each other through the late nights studying.”