HS-8 Earns EAWS pennant
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS070413-01
Release Date: 4/13/2007 7:35:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs
USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- While supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in the North Persian Sea, the “Eightballers” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 8 were presented their first silver enlisted aviation warfare specialist (EAWS) pennant in the command’s history on board USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) April 10.
Force Master Chief James Abeyta (AW/SW) the co-founder of the EAWS pennant, awarded the pennant to HS-8’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. Joey Tynch in a ceremony in HS-8’s ready room.
Although the EAWS pennant is earned by enlisted Sailors it was through the teamwork of all the members of HS-8 that made flying the pennant possible.
“The E-1 to the O-5 is what I call the value chain, and I think it’s important that every link is recognized as a Sailor,” said Abeyta. “I don’t care who you are, a lieutenant, a master chief, a chief, a first class. The command you’re representing is exactly that. It’s about the value of the individual Sailors collectively.”
In Tynch’s remarks upon receiving the award, he emphasized the accomplishments the squadron has made through teamwork.
“In the past two and a half years, HS-8 has gotten a lot of accolades,” said Tynch. “When I think of all the things we have achieved as a group, this is going to mean as much to me as any of the other awards. This really speaks to what we are trying to do here together, which is to work hard and to work smart and more importantly, to work together.”
Command Master Chief Eduardo Castro (AW/SW), Eightballer’s senior enlisted advisor said all of HS-8’s E-5 and above Sailors attained their EAWS pin, earning HS-8’s right to fly the pennant.
“Attaining the EAWS designation is essential to our Navy’s warfighting capability,” said Castro. “The designation signifies that our Sailors have achieved a level of professional skills, knowledge and experience in the direct support of naval air warfare and HS-8 missions.”
According to an official message from Commander, Naval Air Forces that authorized flying the pennant, the purpose of this program is to display the warrior spirit and build on esprit de corps by proudly flying the EAWS pennant in recognition of a command’s successful warfare program.
Castro attributes his command’s successful warfare program to four people: Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Sean Coburn (AW/SW), Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Shane Lesetmoe (AW/SW), Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class (AW) Jerry Lambardo and Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class (AW) Melvin Bitangcol.
“Everybody wanted to help in getting their EAWS and the pennant,” said Bitangcol.
Bitangcol added that the HS-8 personnel who have already qualified from previous cruises volunteered to teach EAWS classes and participate as board members on the EAWS oral exam.
“It shows how dedicated and committed the command is to succeed in every aspect of Navy teamwork,” said Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Geoffrey Peterson (AW), who qualified last month.
Peterson said it was a sigh of relief to complete the program.
“I feel proud to have done it,” said Peterson. “The program was very educational, walking around to the different shops and learning what they do for the command.”
The HS-8 leadership is proud as well to receive the pennant.
“It’s an achievement for the squadron,” said Castro. “It also shows that our personnel were up to the challenge of getting that pennant.”
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