SAN DIEGO – A 2015 Columbus East High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 35 at Naval Station North Island in Coronado, California.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Wyatt Miller is a Navy yeoman serving with HSM 35, a squadron that uses the MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopter for missions.
A Navy yeoman is responsible for clerical work, customer service and administration duties.
“I enjoy the interaction with my shipmates and family members that my job offers," Miller said.
Miller credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Columbus.
“I learned the importance of discipline," Miller said. "That has helped me in my Navy career.”
HSM 35’s primary mission is to conduct sea control operations in open-ocean and coastal environments as part of a Carrier Air Wing. The mission includes hunting for submarines, searching for surface targets over the horizon and conducting search and rescue operations, if required.
The MH-60R is the Navy’s new primary maritime dominance helicopter, replacing the SH-60B and SH-60F aircraft. The MH-60R helicopter features a glass cockpit and significant mission system improvements, which give it unmatched capability as an airborne multi-mission naval platform, according to Navy officials.
“The command is motivational in the sense that everyone works hard," Miller said. "I’ve really enjoyed working with aviation also.”
Miller said he is most proud of transitioning into a new career path in aviation.
He also said that serving in the Navy means continuing to be disciplined and productive.
"It has elevated my sense of self and working together with others to come together to accomplish the mission. I also enjoy traveling, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures,” he said.
