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Springfield's Shealy in elite Navy helicopter unit
SHEALY STEVEN
Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Shealy is an aviation ordnanceman - photo by Submitted

A 2009 Effingham County High School graduate and Springfield native is serving with a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron that flies the Navy’s newest and most technologically advanced helicopter.

Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Shealy is an aviation ordnanceman with the “Airwolves” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 40, a Mayport, Fla.-based squadron that operates the Navy’s next generation submarine hunter and Anti-Surface Warfare helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk.

Each helicopter is nearly 65 feet long, may weigh up to 23,500 lbs. (max gross) and can travel over 120 mph for nearly 320 miles on a tank of gas.

As an aviation ordnanceman, Shealy is responsible for working with the weapons and maintaining the systems on the MH-60R.

See the Sept. 6 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.

Effingham High School Band to Perform at NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
St. Patty's Day
Effingham County High School band members are preparing to represent their school and community on a national stage in New York City next March. (Courtesy of Effingham County High School)
The Effingham County High School marching band has been invited to perform in New York City’s historic 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This prestigious opportunity marks the band’s largest performance to date, showcasing their talents on a national stage.
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