Hemet native supports versatile missions while serving at U.S. Navy

By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach NORFOLK, Va. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Jahviyous Richardson, a native of Hemet, California, supports versatile missions while serving at Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 14.

Richardson joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Richardson serves as a naval aircrewman helicopter.

“It was a pride thing for me to join the Navy,” said Richardson. “I didn’t want to join the family business. I wanted to do something different.”

Richardson attended Tahquitz High School and graduated in 2016.

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

“Hemet taught me that if you are going to do something, you should be the best at it,” said Richardson. “I always want to be going forward in my life and Navy career.”

These lessons have helped Richardson while serving with the Navy.

Members of HM 14 fly and maintain helicopters for the U.S. Navy. Navy helicopters can perform many different missions. 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 are stronger because of their service.

As a member of the Navy, Richardson is part of a worldclass organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities, and sustaining combat-ready forces supporting the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy is critical to national defense because we maintain a presence across the sea and ensure shipping lanes remain open and free,” said Richardson.

With 90 percent 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.

“Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”

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

“My proudest Navy accomplishment is successfully saving an aircraft engine that caught on fire while in flight,” said Richardson. “It proved that the training works and it is effective.”

As Richardson and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means a lot to me, and it means I am living up to a legacy,” said Richardson. “My greatgrandmother served in WWII, and every generation in my family from her down has served since. I am the only one in the Navy, so all the others were in the Marines and Army.”

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

“I would like to thank Chief Dicks because he is the first person to put me on a straight path and has modeled how to be successful,” added Richardson.