Seaman Zuriel Jones, a West Sacramento native, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mark Pena, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

NORFOLK, VA (MPG) - Seaman Zuriel Jones, a West Sacramento native, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5.

Jones graduated from Heritage Peak High School in 2019.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in West Sacramento, according to Jones.

“Growing up, I lived in a lot of places, so I had to learn to be adaptable,” Jones said. “That has been very useful in the Navy and has helped me feel comfortable in uncomfortable places.”

Jones joined the Navy a year and a half ago. Today, Jones serves as an aviation electronics technician.

“I wanted to join right out of high school but was injured in a car accident and that prevented me from joining the Marine Corps, which both of my parents served in,” Jones said. “After COVID, a lot of options disappeared, so I knew it was time to join the military. The Air Force was going to make me wait too long but I was ready to go and the Navy was ready to take me.”

HSC-5 members fly and maintain the MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter within Carrier Air Wing SEVEN (CVW-7). The MH-60S’s primary missions are Search and Rescue, Naval Special Warfare Support and Anti-Surface Warfare. Additional missions include logistic support, vertical replenishment, medical evacuation, non-combatant evacuation operations and maritime interdiction operations. In short, HSC-5 “Rescues, Protects and Delivers!”

The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom, according to Navy officials.

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 United States’ prosperity is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across America’s rich fabric.

Jones has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment came right before joining the Navy when I got a thank you letter from the Blue Angels,” Jones said. “They were doing an air show in Pensacola and I helped them set up. It was pretty amazing.”

Jones serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy means freedom,” Jones said. “Freedom for me and freedom for my family. I’m proud to be a part of defending that.”

Jones has several goals for his Navy career.

“My long-term goal is to get commissioned and become a pilot in the Navy,” Jones said. “Regardless, I see myself doing 20 years and retiring.”

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

“I want to thank my mother, Heidi, for providing the discipline I needed and instilling in me the importance of having a positive attitude,” Jones added.