SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 1st Class Chad Gifford, a native of Buckhannon, West Virginia, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, at Naval Air Station North Island, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
Gifford graduated from Buckhannon Upshur High School in 2005.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Buckhannon.
“My hometown is a small community and very close,” Gifford said. “We are connected tightly with each other and are able to be our genuine selves. As a community, we were able to help each other and make sure everyone succeeded. That's something that I am able to do here in the Navy.”
Gifford joined the Navy 15 years ago. Today, Gifford serves as an aviation maintenance administrationman.
“I was initially inspired by my father, who served before me,” Gifford said. “I also wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and to be able to serve my country.”
The “Eightballers” of HSC-8 fly and maintain the MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s versatile and most advanced rotary wing maritime platform. Their missions include airborne mine countermeasures, combat search and rescue, anti-surface warfare, combat logistics and medevac.
Gifford has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I earned an accommodation medal while serving at Fleet Readiness Center South West,” Gifford said. “I was the Safe for Flight Maintenance Controller that signed off on making sure that the aircrafts were safe and ready to fly over four different aircraft model types.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
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.
“It has been and still is a great honor to serve my country,” Gifford said. “Being able to fight for freedom and peace for my friends and family back home fills me with pride.”
Gifford is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“First off, I would like to thank God for his continued blessings. I would like to also thank my parents, my grandmother, and my spouse,” Gifford said. “My parents, Kimberly and Russell Gifford, have always been there for me and supported me in my decisions in life. My grandmother, Barbara Byrd, has been a second mother and has helped raise me from an early age. And for my spouse, Alexis Gifford, has continued to be a pillar of stability in my life.”
Gifford reflects on other life accomplishments and future steps in and out of the Navy.
“I have earned my private pilots’ license while I have been in the Navy,” Gifford said. “I would like to continue to study and earn my duel-engine private pilots’ license and use that to continue my success in the civilian world.”
“I have earned my private pilots’ license while I have been in the Navy,” Gifford said. “I would like to continue to study and earn my duel-engine private pilots’ license and use that to continue my success in the civilian world.”