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PHILIPPINE SEA – “Walking out to the helicopter – the weight of anticipation presses against your chest. Each step is a march towards hope, a testament to your courage and commitment in the face of uncertainty,” recalled Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Jeremy Valdez, assigned to the “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, while describing the moment before flying in an MH-60S Seahawk aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Valdez continued, “As the rotor blades roar to life, you feel the rush of adrenaline and purpose intertwining.”
HSC-12 deploys with CVN 73, with their primary mission beingsearch and rescue. They are constantly flying plane guard, circling around the boat in the case a pilot goes in the water.
Valdez explained when he first stepped into to the recruiter’s office in January of 2019, his plan was to join the Navy as anAviation Structural Mechanic, as a first-generation military member for his family. “As I sat down, waiting for the recruiter to finish up with another potential sailor, one of the special warfare pamphlets caught my eye,” remembered Valdez. “I saw guys jumping in the water, doing search and rescue. That’s when I knew... ‘yeah, I’m going to save lives’.”
To become a naval aircrewman rescue swimmer, Valdez had togo through a very rigorous training pipeline. While going through basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois, he was a part of a strenuous training course with other special warfare candidates. Upon graduating bootcamp, Valdez was sent to Pensacola, Florida, where he went through six weeks of intensive pool training at Rescue Swimmer School, followed by four weeks of Naval Aircrew Candidate School, then six more weeks of his specialized “A” School. After the completion of his time in Pensacola, Valdez was sent to San Diego to his HSC-3, a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for nine months where he studied and qualified to finally be pinned as a Naval Aircrewman. From there he was sent to HSC-12 in Atsugi, Japan.
Through this lengthy, almost 18-month process, Valdez formedan undeniable bond with the other crewmen he flew with, “Facing intense missions together in high-stakes environments creates a unique sense of camaraderie,” Valdez said, “this shared adversity cultivates a resilient brotherhood. . . forming a tight-knit unit capable of overcoming even the most daunting challenges, it’s necessary for Aircrewmen to have an infallible trust with each other.” Said Valdez. Being in a helicopter during a high-risk, real-time search and rescue scenario leaves no room for doubt amongst each other.
“When you’re briefing for an alert flight, you never know when it’s going to be you,” said Valdez. HSC-12 always has a search and rescue crew ready to go within a moment’s notice, also called the alert team. “Man overboard! Man overboard!” shouted the ship’s main public address system. “It went from zero to one hundred in a matter of seconds,” said Valdez. “It’s a surreal feeling as the alarm blares through the ship. . . knowing every second counts as I transition from preparation to action.” Valdez and his crew got out to the helicopter swiftly, and prepared to launch. “The helicopter roared to life, blades spinning as I’m suiting up . . . the cabin’s set, litter basket good, rescue strop prepared,” remembered Valdez. His crew had 30 minutes to get the bird in the air. And they did.
Ultimately, the man overboard calls turned out to be a misfire. But that’s part of being a Naval Aircrewman; being ready at a moment’s notice, whether there is a man in the water or someone needs an emergency medical evacuation. “Every rescue mission, has ingrained in me the deepest lesson: true strength isn’t measured by physical might alone, but by the resilience of the human spirit to overcome fear, doubt, and impossible odds,” said Valdez when reflecting on his time as an Aircrewman. “These lessons are etched into my soul, fueling my purpose and reminding me that true courage is found in every act of selfless service, no matter how difficult the journey.”
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.30.2025 22:03 |
| Story ID: | 555288 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 36 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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