Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Victoria Mejicanos | 180516-N-XP344-0105 NORFOLK, Va. (May, 16, 2018)- Naval Air Test and Evaluation...... read more read more
NORFOLK, Va.- Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1 “Pioneers” participated in the annual Naval Helicopter Association (NHA) Aircrew Challenge at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, May 16.
The NHA’s competition celebrated 75 years of Naval Helicopters and Aviation, and consisted of 7.5 miles of stations designed to test Naval aircrewmen’s knowledge and physical endurance.
“It’s not often that our community can get a large group like this to come together,” said Master Chief Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) Jason Vanburen, the NHA representative for the East Coast. “Granted, we’re all aircrew, but we all have different missions. During this competition, however, we all come together and finish the race. It’s nice to see the spirit of competition and comradery that the contest breeds.”
The competition consisted of 118 Sailors from seven commands from across the country which populated 39 teams. This was the largest competition in recent memory, said Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 1st Class Timothy Muniz, the event’s coordinator.
“This race is meant for us to have fun getting together, building comradery, and networking while also showing off our skills,” said Muniz. “Our rate has a bunch of type “A” personalities, so the prize, which is just bragging rights, is a pretty big deal that is highly coveted.”
Four Pioneers, Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 1st Class Kristjon Reuling, Naval Aircrewman (Operator) 1st Class Mohammed Bari, Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Trey Dreher, and Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Justin Brown, collectively team “BBD RUL”, represented VX-1.
“This was the first aircrew challenge I’ve been a part of,” said Dreher. “It was tougher than I expected, and humbling, but it was really fun to see how we could work together to get through the tasks and obstacles.”
The team finished with a time of 3:15:48 and worked together to answer quizzes, solve puzzles, work simulated emergency rescue situations, and conquer obstacle courses.
“It was really tough to keep going, but it felt so good to complete it with my team,” said Bari. “It was a lot of fun and it was definitely worth going to and participating in.”
The competition was part of the NHA Symposium 2018 which hosted several panel discussions, squadron reunions, a golf tournament, and fundraisers to benefit the NHA Scholarship Fund.
NHA was founded in 1976 and is incorporated in California as a nonprofit professional organization to promote the development and use of naval vertical lift aircraft in the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
The principal mission of VX-1 is to test and evaluate airborne anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime anti-surface warfare (SUW) weapon systems and airborne strategic weapon systems, as well as support systems, equipment and materials in an operational environment. The squadron also develops, reviews and disseminates new Operational Tactics Guides (OTG) to provide guidance to fleet units on initial operating capabilities before fleet tactical publications are ready
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2018 16:23 |
| Story ID: | 280219 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 114 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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