Pacific Fleet Commander Visits HSC-85
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS071108-12
Release Date: 11/8/2007 4:56:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cale T. Bentley, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Robert F. Willard visited Sailors of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 Nov. 5.
Willard congratulated them for their firefighting efforts, Oct. 22-26, during the California wildfires.
"This was an opportunity for me to go out and look at the scope of difficulty and hard work that our helicopter wing had to go through in order to help fight these fires," said Willard. "It proved to be heroic."
Willard took a flight by helicopter to view the grounds that caught fire HSC-85 and California State Fire Department extinguished.
"There appeared to be very, very challenging conditions that these Sailors had to face, such as the rigorous confines of the mountain ranges and power lines that all posed a threat to the aircraft and people involved," said Willard.
Upon Willard's return, he spoke with HSC-85's Sailors and praised them for a job well-done. He also rewarded some Sailors with coins.
"It took an incredible level of professionalism, and I'm very proud of HSC-85," said Willard.
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