Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward Petty Officer Second Class Cory Holt.

By Mass Communication Specialist

1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno

Navy Office of Community Outreach

(MAYPORT, Fla.) A 2012 East Lee County High School graduate and Fort Myers native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced helicopter.

“I learned that I wanted a career where I could be near the water,” said Holt. “The Navy definitely gives me that opportunity.”

Holt is a naval helicopter tactical aircrewman with the “Airwolves” of Heli-copter Maritime Strike Squadron 40, a Mayport, Fla., 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 pounds (max gross) and can travel over 120 miles per hour for nearly 320 miles on a tank of gas.

As a naval helicopter tactical air crewman, Holt is responsible for maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.

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.

Holt is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs.

“My brother served in Virginia on the USS Bataan,” said Holt. “We are first-generation military; I’m proud to represent my family in the Navy.”

Holt said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.

“I am very proud of making it through all the training I have done,” said Holt. “I have succeeded at 15 schools to get to this point in my career.”

Sailors’ jobs are highly varied within the squadron. Approximately 297 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.

Holt is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon capital assets, Holt and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.

Serving in the Navy, Holt is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.

“The Navy is a brotherhood,” said Holt. “People taking care of you. People influence you and you can influence others. We always have each other’s back.”