SAN DIEGO, Calif. (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Air Forces delivered the keynote speech at the 63rd Annual Naval Helicopter Association (NHA) Symposium in San Diego, Calif., May 10.
Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers discussed the rotary wing communities' current and future operations, readiness, role in today's world events and overall importance to the Navy's global mission.
"You have changed how we operate," said Myers. "[Helicopters] are a weapons system for every ship in our fleet. You provide capabilities across the entire spectrum of operations. You keep the fleet safe, you keep the fleet effective, and you keep the fleet potent."
In his speech, Myers described the diverse roles of the helicopter community and how "helicopters changed everything", initially by making combat search and rescue in the most hostile environments an achievable mission – to include Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Light Airborne Multipurpose System (LAMPS) helicopters extended Naval Aviation's reach beyond the carrier, integrating an over-the-horizon search and kill capability onto every cruiser and destroyer platform. That reach continues to expand with the ongoing transition to the MH-60 Romeo and Sierra helicopters.
During Operation Tomadachi, naval helicopters "played a central role" providing more than 200 tons of food, water and supplies to Japan after it was devastated by an earthquake, tsunami and potential nuclear disaster.
"Over the next few years … our helicopters will make up nearly a third of the naval aircraft inventory," said Myers. "Helicopter pilots will soon be more than 50 percent of all naval aviators. Naval Aviation is forward deployed, providing actual presence around the globe every day – and our helicopter community helps make this a possibility."
According to NHA Chairman, retired Navy Rear Adm. Steve Tomaszeski, the symposium's purpose is to help educate the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard maritime helicopter community and what their mission means to the nation. In addition, NHA membership allows the diverse sections of aviators to cross-pollinate and gain a better understanding of how each unit's mission connects with the other.
"It's great to hear Vice Admiral Myers provide the big picture," said first time attendee Lt. j.g. Brian Guest, from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37 in Hawaii. "You tend to get lost in the day-to-day details of squadron life, so again, being able to gain the broad version of what our entire community is doing, where it's headed and what we can look forward to is great."
Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers discussed the rotary wing communities' current and future operations, readiness, role in today's world events and overall importance to the Navy's global mission.
"You have changed how we operate," said Myers. "[Helicopters] are a weapons system for every ship in our fleet. You provide capabilities across the entire spectrum of operations. You keep the fleet safe, you keep the fleet effective, and you keep the fleet potent."
In his speech, Myers described the diverse roles of the helicopter community and how "helicopters changed everything", initially by making combat search and rescue in the most hostile environments an achievable mission – to include Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Light Airborne Multipurpose System (LAMPS) helicopters extended Naval Aviation's reach beyond the carrier, integrating an over-the-horizon search and kill capability onto every cruiser and destroyer platform. That reach continues to expand with the ongoing transition to the MH-60 Romeo and Sierra helicopters.
During Operation Tomadachi, naval helicopters "played a central role" providing more than 200 tons of food, water and supplies to Japan after it was devastated by an earthquake, tsunami and potential nuclear disaster.
"Over the next few years … our helicopters will make up nearly a third of the naval aircraft inventory," said Myers. "Helicopter pilots will soon be more than 50 percent of all naval aviators. Naval Aviation is forward deployed, providing actual presence around the globe every day – and our helicopter community helps make this a possibility."
According to NHA Chairman, retired Navy Rear Adm. Steve Tomaszeski, the symposium's purpose is to help educate the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard maritime helicopter community and what their mission means to the nation. In addition, NHA membership allows the diverse sections of aviators to cross-pollinate and gain a better understanding of how each unit's mission connects with the other.
"It's great to hear Vice Admiral Myers provide the big picture," said first time attendee Lt. j.g. Brian Guest, from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37 in Hawaii. "You tend to get lost in the day-to-day details of squadron life, so again, being able to gain the broad version of what our entire community is doing, where it's headed and what we can look forward to is great."