With a dazzling smile, she confidently walks across the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) towards her bird; a thick braid of brown hair sticking from the pilot's helmet.

The MH-60S number 02 is reflected in her helmet's lowered visor as she inspects her helicopter, giving a "thumbs up" to a aviation machinist's mate to unfold Sea Hawk's rotors. And just like a butterfly unfolds its wings, MH-60S rotors slowly swing out, gently bouncing with the rocking of the ship.

Lt. j.g. Jaclyn Franc, from Holliston, Massachusetts, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, followed the footsteps of both of her grandfathers and an uncle, who served in the military. Combined, they served in the Navy, Army and Air Force, respectively. But it was Franc's oldest brother who became an inspiration for her to become a Navy pilot.

"I have always looked up to my brother and saw his journey through the U.S. Naval Academy and flight school and was inspired to follow in his footsteps," said Franc. "Learning to fly was an interest I've had since childhood and I really enjoy the crew mindset that flying a helicopter provides."

Franc is no stranger to doing what most would consider a man's job. Growing up with two older brothers, being overly "girly" is not exactly her style.

"I played ice hockey all the way through high school on the boys' team, so it is not anything new for me," said Franc about being a military pilot, still a predominantly male field, with only six percent women pilots. "I think we all work extremely hard at our jobs and want to be the best that we can possibly be."

With her cool precision, the helicopter tirelessly transitions between the ships during a replenishment-at-sea, bringing heavy, dangling pallets of food, equipment and mail for the Sailors, making numerous circles to supply the essentials for shipboard life. Each day there is a different mission, but all are essential to naval operations.

Piloting an aircraft brings its own challenges that require a steady hand and nerves of steel, quick thinking, and the teamwork from the crew responsible for safety of operations and completion of the mission.

"Every day is a different challenge," explained Franc. "Whether it is a mission you get tasked with in flight, a MEDEVAC (medical evacuation), search and rescue, or a training flight, there is always something that makes today's flight different and keeps you on your toes, and ready to execute whatever mission is necessary."

Being ready for anything and expecting the unexpected is something Franc learned from her flight school days.

"On one of my last flights in flight school on night vision goggles, we were transitioning to land in the grass at Santa Rosa and the helicopter aircraft commander and I both heard a noise and felt a rush of cold air at around 15 feet above the ground," remembers Franc. "Once we were safe on deck, we turned around and looked and the back cabin door had fallen off of the helo (helicopter) and was lying on the ground behind us."

Despite potential dangers of her profession, the young pilot is more than happy with her line of work.

"I would like to continue flying in the military as long as I can," shared Franc. "I think being a military officer and a pilot is demanding, but also extremely rewarding."

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