By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach

SAN DIEGO — Petty Officer 1st Class Chaz Reyes, a native of Hinesville, supports versatile missions while serving at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3.

Reyes joined the Navy 12 years ago. Today, Reyes serves as a naval air crewman (helicopter).

“I joined the Navy to be able to find opportunities that are not necessarily found in small towns,” Reyes said. “My aunt, Lisa, served 30 years in the Navy and she was a major influence when I joined the Navy.”

Reyes attended Liberty County High School and graduated in 2005.

Skills and values similar to those found in Hinesville are similar to those required to succeed in the military.

“Growing up, I learned to work hard towards a goal, and that will help you be successful in life and in the Navy,” Reyes said.

These lessons have helped Reyes while serving in the Navy.

Members of HSC 3 fly and maintain helicopters for the U.S. Navy. Navy helicopters perform many different missions. In general, some of the most common operations include search and rescue, air assaults, medical evacuations, supply transport and hunting submarines.

This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as “The First Six,” earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.

As a member of the Navy, Reyes is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy is important to national defense because the world is made up of mostly water, and having a strong Navy allows us to protect our country and its allies around the world,” Reyes said.

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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.

Reyes and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I’m most proud of when I was asked to lead a division of very junior sailors and during that tour, I was able to learn a ton about myself and the Navy,” Reyes said. “Watching them grow and succeed, and knowing that I had an influence in that, however small it may have been, makes me very proud.”

As Reyes and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means that I’m making a difference for myself, my family and my country,” said Reyes said.

Reyes is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my wife for being the anchor while I’m away,” Reyes said. “I would also like to thank AWS