USS Ingraham Personnel Receive EAWS Qualification

Seven personnel from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 Detachment 2 deployed on board USS Ingraham (FFG 61) earned the Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist (EAWS) qualification, June 22.

The EAWS qualification pin is one of many different warfare qualifications that enlisted personnel can achieve.

“As HSL-49 Detachment 2 ‘Dos Bravos’ officer in charge, I couldn’t be more proud,” said Lt. Cmdr. Charles Clark. “To have so many junior Sailors come out on deployment, many for the first time, and to not only hit the ground running in their jobs, but getting qualified so quickly as well just validates how blessed I am to have a strong group of maintainers and aircrew to be working with.”

Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Hunter Eiland, Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Bryan Hamaleinen, Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Benjamin Oquendo, Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class William Busbsy, Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Kevin McGinty, Naval Aircrewman (Tactical Helicopter) 2nd Class Robert Millard, and Naval Aircrewman (Tactical Helicopter) 2nd Class Christopher Weider earned the right to wear the EAWS insignia.

Ingraham is deployed in support of Operation Martillo, an international and interagency effort that targets illicit trafficking in coastal waters along the Central American Isthmus.

[mappress]
Press Release, July 03, 2014; Image: Wikimedia