4 minute read
Rotor Happy New Year BUT "Be Ready"
By CAPT Jim Gillcrist, USN (Ret.)
Amid a hotly contested geopolitical environment around the globe, the forward presence of the U.S. Navy is on full display. As this country’s 911 force, Navy ships / air teams, big and small, are ready and already responding. Interestingly, “Be Ready” is the theme for the 2024 NHA National Symposium, which will be held at Harrah’s Resort Southern California from 15-17 May.
The focus of this issue, “Fix, Fly, Fight,” is on our Maintenance Brothers and Sisters who are integral to every mission we fly no matter what the platform – rotary wing, unmanned, or tilt rotor. Fixing airplanes is core to squadron and detachment readiness. I learned this on my second long deployment with a ringside seat as a Det MO with the HSL-37 Det Four “Bounty Hunters.” ADC Cornell, AD2 Seguin, and AE2 Neuwirth among others showed me the amazing things that a small, high functioning team of maintainers can achieve in close quarters aboard USS Bagley (FF1069). We deployed and operated as one team.
Similarly, NHA is one team and a brotherhood where “every member counts and makes the organization stronger.” We are a unique, professional organization 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. 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.
As I have stated before, 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 NHA. 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) 435-7139 and we will be happy to help – you will get Linda, Mike, Allyson, or myself.
Warm regards with high hopes, Jim Gillcrist.
Every Member Counts / Stronger Together
Lifetime Members (LTM) in the Spotlight
CAPT Sandy Clark, USN (Ret.) / LTM #184 , CAPT Bill Personius, USN (Ret.) / LTM #46
CAPT Sandy "Wolfman" Clark and CAPT Bill "BP" Personius, USN (Ret.) are two Lifetime Members who are making a difference.
Sandy and I served together as HSL Squadron COs on the Flight Line at NAS North Island. He has leaned in as Principal Trustee, taken charge of over one hundred Trustees, and given this talent-rich group purpose to include helping to brand the organization at external events.
Bill and I served aboard USS PELELIU (LHA 5). He was the Ship XO and I served as Air Boss, and we made a challenging long deployment together. Bill is now President, NHA Historical Society and working hard to preserve our helicopter / tilt rotor heritage to include spearheading the CDR Clyde Lassen SH-60F Helicopter Memorial at the front gate of NAS North Island.
