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Tate Graduate Keeps The Navy’s Newest, Most Advanced Helicopters Flying

A 2014 J.M. Tate High School graduate and Pensacola 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 Joanna Osburn credits much of their success from lessons they learned growing up in Pensacola.

“I learned that I am never alone and to never give up,” said Osburn.

Osburn is an aviation maintenance administrationman with the “Airwolves” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40, 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 maintenance administrationman, Osburn is responsible for clerical, administrative, and managerial duties for the squadron.

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.

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

“My brother served in the Air Force, my dad in the Navy, my uncle Army, and my other brother served in the Marines,” said Osburn. “It’s definitely a big part of my family.”

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

“Watching junior sailors develop into become great leaders is incredibly satisfying,” said Osburn.

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.

Osburn 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, Osburn and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.

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

“The Navy is a big family. They always have your back through thick and thin, no matter the situation,” said Osburn.

by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno