United States Navy careers
AWS
aviation
CMF AviationEnlistedUnited States Navy

Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter)

Operate sensors and rescue equipment aboard Navy helicopters.

Difficulty · hardFitness · very_high AI compatibility 45
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Job Overview

AWSs serve as aircrewmen on MH-60S helicopters supporting search and rescue, VERTREP, and combat support.

Aircrewmen operate hoists, door guns, and sensors; conduct rescues; and support anti-submarine warfare and personnel recovery.

History & Deep Dive

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Daily Responsibilities

  • Aircraft preflight
  • Operate hoist and gun
  • Conduct SAR
  • Anti-submarine ops
  • Post-flight maintenance
Work schedule
Flight schedule dependent
Environment
Aboard ships, air stations, and expeditionary sites
Supports
Fleet aviation squadrons

Training Pipeline

  1. 1
    Recruit Training
    10 weeks
  2. 2
    NAWCAD/AW A School
    Pensacola/NAS · ~1 year total

ASVAB & Qualification Requirements

ASVAB line-score minimums
Officer / no line-score minimums listed
Security clearance
Secret
Physical requirements
High physical fitness. Rescue swim requirements.
Required skills
SARRescue SwimmerAircrew
AI Concept Gallery
AI-generated concept illustrations · not official photos
Portrait · AI illustration
Training · AI illustration
Workplace · AI illustration
Equipment · AI illustration
Operational · AI illustration

Video Library

Official recruiting video for Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) coming soon.

Career Progression

E-1→
E-4→
E-5→
E-6→
E-7 Chief

Crew chief, flight instructor.

Assignments & Special Schools

Duty stations
  • NAS North Island
  • NAS Norfolk
  • NAS Jacksonville
  • NAS Whidbey
Special schools
Rescue Swimmer SchoolAircrew Combat Systems

Deployment: Regular carrier and expeditionary deployments.

Advantages

  • Flight status pay
  • Elite rescue mission
  • Team environment

Disadvantages

  • High physical demand
  • Long training pipeline
  • At-sea rotations

Civilian Career Equivalents

Helicopter Aircrewman (civil)
SAR Technician
Aviation Technician
Career Match Scores
Physical Demand95
Mental Demand80
Leadership75
Technical Level80
Travel90
Deployment Potential85
Civilian Transferability75
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Context: AWS Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter)
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