4 minute read
Rotor Executive Director's View
“Mr. T” conducting a Fam 0 of his 2022 Mercedes Benz Airstream Interstate 24GT Class B RV (otherwise known as a Tactical JO Sprinter Van) with NHA Executive Director.
NHA is NOT just about Pilots …
By CAPT Jim Gillcrist, USN (Ret.)
The focus of this issue is on our Aircrew Brothers and Sisters who are integral to every mission we fly no matter what the platform – rotary wing, unmanned, or tilt rotor. And their motto of … “So Others May Live” … is both noble and a compelling call to action for mission execution within the entire Rotary Force. Acknowledgement that we are indeed a talented team of aircrewmen, maintainers, and pilots is what makes the Rotary Force, and NHA as a professional organization, unique.
During my last flying tour at the World Famous HSL-43 BattleCats, the squadron slogan was: “Fix … Fly … Strike!” I liked the slogan. It was compelling without any need for embellishment. It represented what we did as a high functioning team of maintainers, aircrewmen, and pilots. The mission could only be accomplished if we knew how to fix the airframe, fly the airframe, and fight the airframe. We deployed and operated as one team.
Similarly, NHA is a team and a brotherhood with a similar, defining motto: “Every member counts / stronger together.” We are a unique professional organization. We are comprised of maintainers, aircrewmen, and pilots who remain connected, who help one another, who continue to offer mentorship to one another, and who pay it forward. Every member counts and makes the organization stronger.
To repeat something that I shared in an earlier column, the best kept secret in this vibrant, professional organization is its members. The NHA Staff has the immense privilege every day of working alongside high caliber folks from National Leadership to Junior Officer and Aircrew Reps across the entire Rotary Force – coast to coast.
In closing, we remain a relationship organization. Meaning that the relationships we make at the squadron and aboard ship on deployment are lifelong, enriching, and purposeful. These same relationships continue downstream and remain powerful throughout our military careers, as well as when we transition to our next adventure outside of the service. We look after one another and pay it forward continuously. This is why we are members of our professional organization. This is why you should join and / or renew your membership.
Please keep your membership profile up to date (mailing address and region affiliation). If you should need any assistance at all, give us a call at (619) 4357139 and we will be happy to help – you will get Linda, Mike, Allyson, or myself.
Warm regards with high hopes, Jim Gillcrist.
Lifetime Member (LTM) in the Spotlight
LT Andrew “Mr. T” George, USN Lifetime Member #685 HSC-23 Wildcards
"Mr. T" is a Reno, Nevada native who graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno where he earned two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Finance and Economics in 2013. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 2014 and was designated a Student Naval Aviator. His training began in Pensacola, FL for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination, then on to the VT-6 “Shooters” in Milton, FL where he learned to fly the T-6B. He selected rotary wing and continued to the HT-28 “Hellions” for advanced flight training where he learned to fly the TH-57 and was designated a Naval Aviator in 2016. He selected to fly the MH-60S in San Diego and completed training at the Fleet Replacement Squadron, HSC-3 “Merlins.” During his first sea tour with the HSC-23 “Wildcards,” he flew the MH-60S and MQ-8B while deployed with Det 8 on USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10 / “Blue Team”) conducting Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) in the South China Sea in 2020. Selected for his extensive Fire Scout operational experience, he completed a shore tour with HSCWP VTUAV Maintenance Detachment as Assistant OIC at NAS Point Mugu flying the MQ-8B and MQ-8C. Next, LT George reported to HSC-23 again and is now serving as Det 6 MQ-8 Ops / Pilot back aboard LCS 10.
