Midshipmen experience fleet at HS-5

A significant portion of a midshipman's professional education occurs during summer training and for many this is a high point of the four year curriculum.

The "Nightdippers" of HS-5 recently hosted two midshipmen, introducing them to the helicopter squadron community, helping them understand the rigors of the fleet and what it takes to become a successful junior officer.

The midshipmen had the opportunity to experience every aspect of the command. They interacted with all of the different maintenance divisions, gaining a great deal of respect for the maintainers and the jobs they do to keep the helicopters flying.

"I've always dreamed of flying, but I never knew how much work went into maintaining the aircraft," stated Midshipman First Class Charles Fasterling of the University of Rochester, while touring one of the maintenance workcenters. "This visit has helped show me how important and integral the maintenance department is to the squadron. I hope I have the opportunity to one day get to work with great people like they have here at HS-5."

The midshipmen also experienced the thrill of flying one of HS-5's HH-60H helicopters. After his flight, Midshipman First Class Chris Babcock of Notre Dame University said excitedly, "This is why I joined NROTC, to get to have opportunities like this. If I'm lucky enough, I'd really like to make it through flight school and fly helicopters. Who knows, I might get to be a Nightdipper one day!"

During the first week of their stay with HS-5, the midshipmen witnessed one of the highlights of the year for the squadron, watching Cmdr. Roy Undersander relieve Cmdr. Paul Esposito as commanding officer of HS-5 during a change of command ceremony June 29. The midshipmen also experienced some "off duty" time with some of the wardroom officers where they were shown that squadron members not only work hard, but also play hard.

"It's important that we portray all aspects of life in the squadron to the visiting midshipmen," Undersander stated.

"They will one day be an integral part of a wardroom somewhere in the Navy, and with that they need to understand that being a part of a squadron, ship or shore command is an extension of family."

After their visit to HS-5, the midshipmen will head back to their respective universities where they will impart their experiences from HS-5 to fellow midshipmen.

Next summer, Fasterling and Babcock will have the privilege of becoming naval officers.