HSM-77 Saberhawks
Encyclopedia
Helicopter Strike Maritime Squadron Seven Seven (HSM-77) "Saberhawks" is a United States Navy
helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island
, San Diego, California
. HSM-77 is attached to Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2) and deploys aboard and Air Capable Ships attached to Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9). HSM-77 was redesignated from HSL-47 on 2 Apr 2009.
(SUW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare
(ASW). Secondary missions include Search and Rescue
(SAR), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS), and Communications Relay (COMREL). The Saberhawks of HSM-77 fly the newest aircraft in the U.S. Navy fleet, the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, which elevates tactical maritime mission capability to a new level, far surpassing previous fleet capability. With its state-of-the-art avionics, mission systems, and cockpit, the MH-60R is the world’s most capable Naval helicopter. The aircraft features a glass cockpit and significant mission system improvements over the SH-60B, which give the MH-60R unmatched capability as an airborne multi-mission Naval platform. The MH-60R is tasked with performing Anti-Submarine Warfare, Surface Warfare, Over-the-Horizon Targeting (OTH-T) on board aircraft carriers and Navy surface combatant ships.
, providing seventeen detachments from 1992-2005. In 1992, Detachment TWO rendered the first assistance to Somali citizens during Operation Restore Hope. HSL-47 deployed the first SH-60B detachment on an aircraft carrier, the , in 2001 and 2003. These detachments paved the way for HSL-47 to become the first HSL Squadron to become an integrated part of the Carrier Air Wing. The Squadron joined the Broadswords of Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2) on 1 April 2004. Under the Navy’s Helo CONOPS “Bravo to Sea (B2C)” initiative, HSL-47 led the LAMPS
Community’s transition from traditional SH-60B expeditionary operations, to carrier based MH-60R operations. Following the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004, HSL-47 and the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group sped to assist the Indonesian island of Sumatra
. Arriving on December 31, the Saberhawks flew a total of 1,223 hours, distributing 404,647 lbs of food, 190,246 lbs of water and supplies, and conducting seventy medical evacuations. In support of Hurricane Katrina, HSL-47, conducted 173 rescues and delivered 76,000 pounds of food, water, and medical supplies over nineteen days. On April 2, 2009, HSL-47 transitioned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN SEVEN. The Saberhawks are attached to CVW-2 and the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group and will deploy with the MH-60R.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay and is the home port of several aircraft carriers of the United States Navy...
, San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. HSM-77 is attached to Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2) and deploys aboard and Air Capable Ships attached to Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9). HSM-77 was redesignated from HSL-47 on 2 Apr 2009.
Mission
Helicopter Strike Maritime Squadron SEVEN SEVEN's primary mission is to employ the versatility of the MH-60R helicopter to support the battle group commander's objectives, with emphasis on Surface WarfareSurface warfare
Modern naval warfare is divided into three operational areas: surface warfare, air warfare and submarine warfare. Each area comprises specialized platforms and strategies used to exploit tactical advantages unique and inherent to that area....
(SUW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
(ASW). Secondary missions include Search and Rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
(SAR), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS), and Communications Relay (COMREL). The Saberhawks of HSM-77 fly the newest aircraft in the U.S. Navy fleet, the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, which elevates tactical maritime mission capability to a new level, far surpassing previous fleet capability. With its state-of-the-art avionics, mission systems, and cockpit, the MH-60R is the world’s most capable Naval helicopter. The aircraft features a glass cockpit and significant mission system improvements over the SH-60B, which give the MH-60R unmatched capability as an airborne multi-mission Naval platform. The MH-60R is tasked with performing Anti-Submarine Warfare, Surface Warfare, Over-the-Horizon Targeting (OTH-T) on board aircraft carriers and Navy surface combatant ships.
History
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN SEVEN “Saberhawks” began its illustrious history as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR SEVEN (HSL-47). Established on 25 September 1987 at NAS North Island, the Saberhawks of HSL-47 employed the SH-60B helicopter. Since its inception, the Saberhawks have been at the forefront of helicopter operations in the Pacific Fleet. In 1991, HSL-47 deployed five detachments in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and flew over 2,000 combat, combat support and contingency hours. The Saberhawks also played an integral role in Operation Southern WatchOperation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
, providing seventeen detachments from 1992-2005. In 1992, Detachment TWO rendered the first assistance to Somali citizens during Operation Restore Hope. HSL-47 deployed the first SH-60B detachment on an aircraft carrier, the , in 2001 and 2003. These detachments paved the way for HSL-47 to become the first HSL Squadron to become an integrated part of the Carrier Air Wing. The Squadron joined the Broadswords of Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2) on 1 April 2004. Under the Navy’s Helo CONOPS “Bravo to Sea (B2C)” initiative, HSL-47 led the LAMPS
Light airborne multi-purpose system
Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System is the United States Navy's program that developed manned helicopters that assist the surface fleet in anti-submarine warfare.*SH-2 Seasprite *SH-60 Seahawk...
Community’s transition from traditional SH-60B expeditionary operations, to carrier based MH-60R operations. Following the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004, HSL-47 and the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group sped to assist the Indonesian island of Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
. Arriving on December 31, the Saberhawks flew a total of 1,223 hours, distributing 404,647 lbs of food, 190,246 lbs of water and supplies, and conducting seventy medical evacuations. In support of Hurricane Katrina, HSL-47, conducted 173 rescues and delivered 76,000 pounds of food, water, and medical supplies over nineteen days. On April 2, 2009, HSL-47 transitioned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN SEVEN. The Saberhawks are attached to CVW-2 and the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group and will deploy with the MH-60R.
Command history
| Commander | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| CDR J. D. McAfee | 25 September 1987 | 9 September 1988 |
| CDR D. A. Rannells | 9 September 1988 | 1 September 1989 |
| CDR J. C. Boyer | 1 September 1989 | 6 September 1990 |
| CDR T. M. Naple | 6 September 1990 | 16 August 1991 |
| CDR R. J. Vernon | 16 August 1991 | 6 November 1992 |
| CDR M. N. Wellman | 6 November 1992 | 10 February 1994 |
| CDR I. P. Fetterman | 10 February 1994 | 25 May 1995 |
| CDR J. R. Campbell | 25 May 1995 | 5 September 1996 |
| CDR L. J. McCoy | 5 September 1996 | 21 November 1997 |
| CDR T. J. Culora | 21 November 1997 | 3 June 1999 |
| CDR G. S. Smith | 3 June 1999 | 5 October 2000 |
| CDR C. S. Chesnutt | 5 October 2000 | 7 February 2002 |
| CDR M. J. Pringle | 7 February 2002 | 8 May 2003 |
| CDR M. K. Hannan | 8 May 2003 | 24 September 2004 |
| CDR F. J. Michael | 24 September 2004 | 8 December 2005 |
| CDR D. E. Boyles | 8 December 2005 | 1 May 2007 |
| CDR S. P. Malone | 1 May 2007 | 2 July 2008 |
| CDR J. P. Olive | 2 July 2008 | Present |
Squadron aircraft
SH-60 Seahawk- SH-60B, 1987–2009
- MH-60R, 2009–Present (redesignated HSM-77 on 2 April 2009)
See also
- History of the United States NavyHistory of the United States NavyThe history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was also notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy", the result of a modernization effort that began in the...
- US Navy Helicopter Squadrons
- CVW-2
- SH-60 SeahawkSH-60 SeahawkThe Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant airframe modification is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.The...
- Abraham Lincoln