Warsaw Native Serves In U.S. Navy With Helicopter Squadron In San Diego
December 14, 2021 at 2:29 a.m.
Warsaw Native Serves In U.S. Navy With Helicopter Squadron In San Diego
By Stephanie Fox-
“I joined the Navy because my whole family has been in the military,” said Barger. "My grandfather was in the Army, my uncle and brother are in the Marine Corps and my stepfather was in the Navy. It runs in the family."
Barger joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Barger serves with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight (HSC 8) in San Diego, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters, the MH-60S Seahawk.
Growing up in Warsaw, Barger attended Columbia City High School and graduated in 2018. Today, Barger uses the same skills and values learned in Warsaw to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I was taught to be cautious and learn all of the information about everything before making a decision or judgment,” said Barger.
These lessons have helped Barger while serving in the Navy.
Navy pilots and aircrew at HSC 8 constantly train to ensure they are prepared for peacetime and warfighting missions. The mission set of the MH-60S includes anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, vertical replenishment, logistics support, personnel transport, humanitarian disaster relief, medical evacuation, support to Naval Special Warfare and organic airborne mine countermeasures. MH-60S helicopters are also equipped with the ability to conduct replenishments at sea, search and rescue missions and enable other operations for the carrier strike group.
Serving in the Navy means Barger is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus, rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
With more than 90% of all trade traveling by sea, and 95% of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Barger and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is making it through my first deployment,” said Barger. "Last year was hard for everyone with COVID-19 changing the entire world and how everything is done. Being a part of that change for the better is my proudest accomplishment so far."
As Barger and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy has made me a better person,” added Barger. "It's improved my work ethic, allowed me to help my family and let me learn new things. I get to help my family and the country. I'm happy to serve the United States military like my family members who came before me."
“I joined the Navy because my whole family has been in the military,” said Barger. "My grandfather was in the Army, my uncle and brother are in the Marine Corps and my stepfather was in the Navy. It runs in the family."
Barger joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Barger serves with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight (HSC 8) in San Diego, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters, the MH-60S Seahawk.
Growing up in Warsaw, Barger attended Columbia City High School and graduated in 2018. Today, Barger uses the same skills and values learned in Warsaw to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I was taught to be cautious and learn all of the information about everything before making a decision or judgment,” said Barger.
These lessons have helped Barger while serving in the Navy.
Navy pilots and aircrew at HSC 8 constantly train to ensure they are prepared for peacetime and warfighting missions. The mission set of the MH-60S includes anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, vertical replenishment, logistics support, personnel transport, humanitarian disaster relief, medical evacuation, support to Naval Special Warfare and organic airborne mine countermeasures. MH-60S helicopters are also equipped with the ability to conduct replenishments at sea, search and rescue missions and enable other operations for the carrier strike group.
Serving in the Navy means Barger is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus, rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
With more than 90% of all trade traveling by sea, and 95% of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Barger and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is making it through my first deployment,” said Barger. "Last year was hard for everyone with COVID-19 changing the entire world and how everything is done. Being a part of that change for the better is my proudest accomplishment so far."
As Barger and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy has made me a better person,” added Barger. "It's improved my work ethic, allowed me to help my family and let me learn new things. I get to help my family and the country. I'm happy to serve the United States military like my family members who came before me."
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