Petty Officer 2nd Class Austin Irby, a native of Santee, California, serves the U.S. Navy as¬igned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35.
Irby graduated from West Hills High School in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Santee.
“I learned a lot growing up playing sports,” Irby said. “In sports, especially in football, everyone’s given a position to have some type of responsibility on the field. That translates to the military because everybody has a responsibility and we have to come together to make our squadron successful.”
Irby joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Irby serves as a naval air crewman (tactical helicopter).
“When I was in high school, the football coach took the team to the BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition /SEAL training) compound to do a team-building event,” Irby said. “Ever since then, it’s been in my mind to do some kind of special forces job in the military. My mom wanted to join the military, but that didn’t work out. She also inspired me to join.”
Members of HSM 35 fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Irby has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of becoming an aircrew detachment lead,” Irby said. “I’m in charge of three other guys. I make sure they get the qualifications they need and make sure they achieve their goals. The responsibil¬ity of making sure people are taken care of and holding people ac¬countable has helped me become a better person.”
Irby serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“It gives me a lot of pride knowing I’m serving others and making sure the threats abroad don’t come home,” Irby said.
Irby is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’d like to thank my parents and my wife for their support,” Irby added.
By Ashley Craig
Navy Office of Community Outreach
Reprinted courtesy U.S. Navy.
