Petty Officer 2nd Class Mason Fisher, a native of Anthem, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to a helicopter squadron operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.

Fisher graduated in 2019 from Boulder Creek High School of the Deer Valley Unified School District.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Anthem.

“My hometown taught me how to be a hard worker,” Fisher said. “It also helped me learn discipline.”

Fisher joined the Navy four years ago. Today he serves as a naval aircrewman with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28.

“I joined the Navy to do something good with my life,” Fisher said. “I also wanted to get some work experience.”

Members of HSC-28 fly and maintain the Navy’s MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter. Navy helicopters are able to perform many different missions. In general, some of 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, Florida. Six of them, known as “The First Six,” earned their “Wings of Gold” one year later.

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.

Serving in the Navy means Fisher is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy is important to national defense because we protect the air, land, and sea,” Fisher said. “Showing our presence in other countries prevents wrongdoers from taking advantage of smaller nations and our allies.”

With 90% 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.

Fisher has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service. 

“My proudest accomplishment is graduating from rescue swimmer school,” Fisher said. “I persevered through a lot of physical and mental challenges.”

As Fisher and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means I get to be a part of something bigger than myself,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud to put on this uniform every single day.”

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

“I would like to thank my family,” added Fisher. “They have supported me throughout this whole journey.”