Spotlight: Grand Rapids Native Serves With US Navy Helicopter Squadron

Petty Officer 3rd Class Andres Ramirez, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.

Ramirez joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Ramirez serves with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX (HSC 6) in San Diego, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters, the MH-60S Knighthawk, aka SeaHawk.

Growing up in Grand Rapids, Ramirez attended Catholic Central High School and graduated in 2016. Today, Ramirez says he uses the same skills and values learned in Grand Rapids to succeed in the military.

Ramirez said,

"I was taught to be grateful for what I have. It's so important to be considerate of others and appreciate people from different cultures, backgrounds, etc. You get all of that in the Navy."

He added,

"My proudest naval accomplishment is receiving my Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. I was on the USS Essex when there was a fire. I was fighting it for more than two hours, so it was nice to be recognized for that hard work."

The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk (or Sea Hawk) is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk.

The Seahawk can handle anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, naval special warfare insertion, search and rescue , combat search and rescue, vertical replenishment, and medical evacuation.

Since joining the US Navy, Ramirez says,

"I've noticed that I've become more disciplined and started to think of myself as an adult."