Apopka native serves with versatile U.S. Navy helicopter squadron in Guam

Ward graduated from Apopka High School in 2007.

 

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Apopka.

 

 

“I played sports all my life so I learned how to work as part of a team,” said Ward. "Also Florida is a melting pot so interacting with people from different backgrounds helped me easily adjust to people throughout the Navy.”

 

Ward joined the Navy eight years ago. Today, Ward serves as an aviation electronics technician.

 

“I joined the Navy to travel the world, to be a part of something bigger than myself, and to be part of a team that provides humanitarian support to others,” said Ward.

 

 

HSC 25 is the Navy's only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron and as part of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific, it provides an armed helicopter capability for U.S. 7th and 5th Fleets, as well as detachments to various commands covering a diverse mission set. Flying the MH-60S helicopter, HSC-25 supports permanently assigned detachments to the USS America homeported in Sasebo, Japan, Commander Task Force 76, and Commander Task Force 73. These detachments perform combat logistics, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance for U.S. 7th Fleet.

 

Based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, HSC 25 is the Navy's only squadron that maintains a 24-hour search and rescue and medical evacuation alert posture, directly supporting the U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Guam, and Joint Region Marianas. Since 1984, HSC 25 has launched 2,445 missions, resulting in 762 medical evacuations, and rescuing 475 lives from waters and jungles of the island chain.

 

With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

 

Ward serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world, and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

 

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

 

Ward has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

 

“I am most proud of earning the rank of E-6 in five years,” said Ward.

 

Ward can take pride in serving America through military service.

 

“Serving in the Navy means being able to be yourself while still being part of a team that can travel throughout the world to defend and maintain our way of life,” said Ward. "It's having a can-do attitude and taking pride in being a part of something greater than yourself."

 

Ward is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

 

“I would like to thank my recruiter,” added Ward. "He is also from the same island as my family so we connected on that. He helped me a lot. I would also like to thank my family for all of their support and for giving me their blessing to travel so far."