• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Congressional Staff Members Tour HS-10

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060421-13
4/21/2006

By Lithographer 2nd Class (SW) Charlemagne Obana, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Six congressional staff members toured Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 10 at Naval Base Coronado, April 19.

“This is a Navy orientation visit for the congressional staff to give them an understanding of our ships, aircraft and commands based in the San Diego region,” said Lt. Robert I. Diamond, House of Representatives liaison officer for the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs. “These congressional staffers work on defense or homeland security issues in Washington D.C.”

The instructors and operators of HS-10 briefed the delegation about the SH-60F and the HH-60H Seahawk helicopters’ equipment and their various missions.

“I think we provided good insight on exactly what is involved on a daily basis to keep military personnel trained and ready to respond and defend our nation,” said Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator (AW) Jerome M. Shropshire. “We train competent replacements [for the operational squadrons] so those personnel can come home. I specified HS-10’s role as a training squadron, vice the fast-paced operational squadrons on the tip of the spear.”

“It’s a huge sacrifice to be in the military, and I’m appreciative of that sacrifice, because it encompasses all aspects of your life," said Amanda Rogers Thorpe, senior legislative assistant to Maryland's Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger. "It’s humbling; everyone else gets to go home at night. That doesn’t always happen in the military.”

The congressional staff members visited the offices of U.S. 3rd Fleet as well as USS Topeka (SSN 754) and USS Preble (DDG 88). The delegation is scheduled to continue their tour of Navy Region Southwest assets with a visit to the Naval Special Warfare Command; the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape school and area Navy shipyards.