Navy adds rotary-wing squadrons, sailors

[unhappycamper]

The Navy is scaling back the number of helicopter types in the fleet, dropping from seven models to just two: the MH-60R and the MH-60S, above.


Navy adds rotary-wing squadrons, sailors
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Jan 26, 2009 5:45:36 EST

The Navy is expanding and streamlining the helicopter fleet, offering young rotary-wing aviators more career flexibility in the coming years.

The Navy has added three rotary-wing squadrons during the past several years, and plans to stand up seven more by 2019, Navy officials said.

Today’s fleet of 7,700 enlisted sailors will grow to about 9,100 in the next 10 years, and the number of officers is slated to rise to 1,775, up from today’s level of about 1,400, Navy officials said.

“There will be a lot more command opportunities for people to get promoted. And that will follow on the enlisted side — the opportunity to make chief will increase,” said Cmdr. Michael Stoll, the helicopter readiness officer for Naval Air Forces.

At the same time, the Navy is scaling back the number of helicopter types in the fleet, dropping from seven models to just two: the MH-60R and the MH-60S.


Rest of article at: http://navytimes.com/news/2009/01/navy_helos_012609w/%2e