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SF grad named ‘Senior Sailor’ for work at naval station in Florida

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A 1998 South Fayette High School graduate was named “Senior Sailor of the Quarter” while working with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron in Florida that flies the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced chopper.

Petty Officer 1st Class Marlene Ciesielski is a Navy counselor with the “Vipers” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 48 based at Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, Fla.

The base operates the Navy’s next generation submarine hunter and the MH-60R Seahawk. Each helicopter is nearly 65 feet long, weighs up to 23,500 pounds and can travel over 120 miles per hour for nearly 320 miles on a tank of gas.

As a navy counselor, Ciesielski is responsible for providing advice and helping sailors in their personal and professional decision-making process.

“Growing up, I learned honesty and commitment to my community, my family and how to work as a team,” Ciesielski said.

Serving in the Navy, Ciesielski said she is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities. She was just awarded the “Senior Sailor of the Quarter” for the wing.

“It is an honor to be able to serve my country and to follow in the footsteps of those who came before me,” Ciesielski said. “My grandfather served in the Army Air Corps, so it feels good to help keep the country free. I can also see the pride that my family has in me when I come home. They are proud of what I do and what I stand for.”

Nearly 300 Navy men and women are assigned to the squadron.

According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is used for a variety of missions, including hunting and tracking enemy submarines, attacking enemy ships, search and rescue, drug interdiction, delivering supplies and supporting the Navy’s special operations forces.

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