National President's Message Train So Others May Live
By CAPT Tommy "Smokey" Butts, USN
G
reetings from NHA here in San Diego!
I’ve assumed the controls from CDR Emily “ABE” Stellpflug. Before I get started, I’d like to take a moment to thank ABE for her loyal dedication and service to the rotary community. In my short time in the seat, I have quickly realized the time and effort that she dedicated to advancing our professional organization. ABE, thank you for everything that you’ve done to promote NHA and the favorable position you have left us in, well done. As I’ve engaged rotors and pushed my Nr up to 100% here at NHA, I’m impressed by the NHA Staff, here in San Diego, led by CAPT Jim “Super G” Gillcrist, USN (Ret.) and the volunteers around the world. The staff and volunteers who continue to move the chains for NHA are comprised of civilians, active duty enlisted Sailors, officers, and retired legends who paved the path for us. I believe that it is our duty to further grow our professional organization. As I write this, we are inside of a month from the Gulf Coast Fleet Fly-in (GCFFI) in Pensacola. The purpose of the GCFFI is to promote the sea services’ rotary community in an interactive environment. CNATRA Instructors and Fleet Aircrews exchange ideas, expertise and career information with Student Naval Aviators and Student Aircrewmen. In tying into this edition of Rotor Review, a key takeaway I have from the purpose of GCFFI is the interaction with Student Aircrewmen. For a vast majority of the students who will live by the mantra “So Others May Live” for the rest of their lives, GCFFI is the first time that they will see, touch, and smell a Fleet aircraft. Here at HSC-3, the HSCWP FRS, every month I have the opportunity to speak at the Fleet Replacement Aircrewman (FRAC) Graduation. It’s the capstone ceremony where our brothers and sisters in the back of the aircraft receive their “Wings of Gold.” During my speech, I typically throw in a sea story while trying to impart some knowledge. Most recently, the sea story I shared was based on my first rescue. It was a small fishing vessel with two personnel onboard that had no power and was taking on water. Without me giving a blow by blow, you all know that the weather was terrible, it was the middle of the night, my co-pilot and I were unbelievably flawless on the controls, and everything went as planned…..okay okay, but it was a really dark zero illumination night 35nm off the coast of Guam. The thing I remember most about that night was the debrief discussion with our swimmer. He talked about initially being panicked when he had to disconnect from the hoist. It was the first time that he had ever been in the open ocean at night by himself, there was a sinking fishing boat nearby, waves crashing over his head, and rotor wash beating him down. At that moment, full of adrenaline he made his way to the survivors. Fast forward 20 minutes and two survivors along with our swimmer were in the aircraft as we safely made our way back to shore. When I asked him how he overcame the panic and focused on the task, he said, “I thought about my training and I knew there was a helicopter overhead to pick us up.” I’ll never forget the proud smile on his face and my personal feeling that I was working with the absolute best our country has to offer. Brave, hard-working and professional, So Others May Live! When you have an opportunity, take a look at the CNO SARMM News at the following link: https://intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/sarmm/HSC3SARMM@navy.mil. The Fall 2023 Edition details a recent rescue of 11 personnel off of a vessel in distress by HSC-25. It is an honor to serve as your National President of our professional organization! V/r, Smokey NHA LTM #504
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