HSL-40 Leads 'Helos In High Schools' Initiative

In conjunction with HSC-2, HSC-3, HS-10 and HSM-41, HSL-40 participated in local high school fly-ins to assist the Recruiting Commands with their efforts. HSL-40 lead the effort, with contact to more than 60 percent of all the schools visited, mostly in the Orlando, Florida area.

During the initiative, HSL-40 flew SH-60B helicopters to Oviedo High School, Lake Mary High School, Lake Howell High School and Allen D.

Nease Senior High School, where they landed on each school's football field as the students looked on from the stands. Local law enforcement and fire departments played a large part in the safety of the mission, stationed at each field where a helicopter landed. At each school, the crew shut down and stood by for a static helicopter display where students could look in and around the helicopter, and talk to the pilots, Naval aircrewmen and local recruiters

. Navy Recruiting Command deemed the program hugely successful, with approximately 6,000 civilian attendees contacted directly and much more awareness with the follow-up media coverage. The events generated immeasurable leads and community awareness of the US Naval Aviation community and particularly the Aviation Rescue Swimmer community, and also had a large impact on the development of future successful relations with local communities.

Several areas are currently requesting more events of this type, and the plans are in motion to continue the "Helo's in High Schools" Initiative as a yearly program. HSL-40 was dubbed the "model squadron" in this effort, as they were integral in the planning and development of a new initiative that proved to be extremely successful.