Petty Officer 1st Class Diana Bautista, a native of Riverview, Florida, serves with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71, operating out of San Diego, California.

Military Recognition: Riverview Native Serves With U.S. Navy Helicopter Squadron

Petty Officer 1st Class Diana Bautista, a native of Riverview, Florida, serves with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71, operating out of San Diego, California.
By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach, Photo by Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Murtha, Navy Office of Community Outreach

RIVERVIEW, Fla. – Petty Officer 1st Class Diana Bautista, a native of Riverview, Florida, serves with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71, operating out of San Diego, California.

The squadron’s primary mission is to conduct sea control operations in open-ocean and coastal environments. This includes hunting for submarines, searching for surface targets over the horizon and conducting search and rescue operations.

Bautista, a 2014 Richard C. Spoto High School graduate, joined the Navy eight years ago.

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“I joined the Navy because I wanted to do something with my life that served a higher purpose,” said Bautista. “I was also interested in the financial benefits and assistance in earning a college degree.”

Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Riverview.

“I learned the importance of discipline,” said Bautista. “I was in Navy Junior ROTC in high school, and that helped when I joined the military.”

Today, Bautista serves with the helicopter squadron that flies the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. The MH-60R is a twin-engine helicopter used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, drug interdiction, anti-ship warfare, cargo lift, and special operations.

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.

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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 single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”

As a member of the Navy, Bautista 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.

“We need a strong Navy to defend our country from any potential threats that could come our way,” said Bautista. “The Navy provides for the livelihood we enjoy in America.”

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Bautista has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I’m most proud of developing my sailors,” said Bautista. “I enjoy seeing them rank up.”

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

“I get to protect my country while earning benefits that help me with my goals in life,” said Bautista.

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

“I’d like to thank Master Chief Nadine Greene and Chief Roberts,” added Bautista. “They were my ROTC instructors in high school.”

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