Chris Kennedy, a 2005 Coatesville Area high School graduate, serves as an aviation electrician’s mate with the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.
MAYPORT, Fla. – A 2005 Coatesville Area High School graduate and local native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Kennedy is an aviation electrician’s mate with the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46, 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. (max gross) and can travel over 120 miles per hour for nearly 320 miles on a tank of gas.
As an aviation electrician’s mate, Kennedy is responsible for the auto pilot components of helicopters.
“It’s a very exciting job that I get to do day to day,” said Kennedy.
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.
Kennedy said they and other HSM-46 sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“This is one of the best commands in the Navy in terms of people who hold a standard well above anything else,” said Kennedy.
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 mission of HSM-46 is to embark and deploy combat-ready helicopter detachments around the world. Kennedy is a big part of why we are so successful. They have a tireless work ethic, and embody our squadron motto of ‘Set the Standard.’ I’m very proud of Kennedy,” commented Commander Chris Richard, HSM-46 commanding officer.
Serving in the Navy, Kennedy said he is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy has taught me to do what your carreer can handle,” said Kennedy. “Sometimes things are done a certain way for so long that you have to learn to bend them to get the job done.”
This story was provided to The Times by the Navy Office of Community Outreach.
