By Dawn Scott
MAYPORT, Fla. >> A 2000 Kelseyville High School graduate is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.
Lt. Cmdr. John Gleason is a pilot with the “Vipers” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48, a Mayport, Florida based squadron that operates the Navy’s next generation submarine hunter and Anti-Surface Warfare helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk. Each helicopter is nearly 65 feet long, may weigh up to 23,500 lbs and can travel over 120 miles per hour for nearly 320 miles on a tank of gas.
As a pilot, Gleason is responsible for flying helicopters for various missions and operations for HSM-48.
“Although I love flying, I also love leading these amazing sailors that I work with on a day to day basis,” said Gleason.
According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the most capable multi-mission helicopter available in the world today. It is used for a variety of missions, including hunting and tracking enemy submarines, attacking enemy ships, search and rescue, drug interdiction, delivering supplies and supporting the Navy’s special operations forces.
It is replacing the Navy’s older helicopters because of its greater versatility and more advanced weapon systems.
Gleason said he and other HSM-48 sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“HSM-48 is the only expeditionary squadron on the east coast,” said Gleason. “We are unique because we are not attached to an airwing like other squadrons, so we can accept varied and last-minute taskings.”
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied within the squadron. Approximately 270 Navy men and women are assigned and keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly. This includes everything from maintaining helicopter airframes and engines, to processing paperwork, handling weapons and flying the aircraft.
“The thing I love the most about being a part of this great organization are the people,” said Cmdr. Jeff Hill, HSM-48’s Commanding Officer. “The level of commitment and professionalism by every member of Viper Nation is second to none. But more importantly, they represent what’s best about our nation and the generation of American’s dedicating their lives to something bigger. Dedicating themselves to making a difference. Because at the end of the day, that’s what we do in Viper Nation, it’s what we do in the Navy, we make a difference.”
Serving in the Navy, Gleason is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy provides the most broad-based leadership opportunities that you can ever have, it’s both challenging and very rewarding at the same time,” added Gleason.
