Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49 (HSM-49) | |
---|---|
Founded | March 23, 1990 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Navy |
Role | Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Search and Rescue (SAR), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Communications Relay (COMREL), and Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS). |
Part of | COMHSMWINGPAC |
Garrison/HQ | NAS North Island |
Nickname(s) | Scorpions |
Motto(s) | Excellence in all we do. |
Equipment | MH-60R Seahawk (Sikorsky Aircraft) |
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49 (HSM-49) is a United States Navy Maritime Strike helicopter squadron based Naval Air Station North Island, California.
The Scorpions of HSM-49 are an operational fleet squadron based at NAS North Island. Their tailcode is TX and their radio callsign is "Red Stinger". The squadron provides combat-ready pilots, aircrewmen, technicians, and aircraft to Pacific Fleet warships. The squadron operates the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter.
HSM-49 was redesignated on 1 April 2015, formerly being Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 49 (HSL-49). HSL-49 was established on 23 March 1990 as the U.S. Navy transitioned the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light community from the SH-2 Seasprite to the SH-60B Seahawk. The Scorpions first deployed in November 1990 with Detachment 1 embarked in USS Ford (FFG-54).
The squadron - then and now - deploys its personnel and aircraft in an expeditionary model. Detachments are led by an Officer-in-Charge, normally a Lieutenant Commander, and typically deploy with one or two helicopters, and a complement of pilots, Naval Aircrewmen, mechanics and technicians.
Detachments embark Arleigh Burke class destroyers and Ticonderoga class cruisers in support of Carrier Strike Groups (CSG), Surface Action Groups (SAG), or independent deployed operations. Recent deployed detachments have engaged in missions ranging from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), counter-piracy, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR), and Counter-Illicit Trafficking.
Crews from HSM-49 operate the MH−60R Seahawk, a helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft and equipped with two front-drive T700−GE−401C turboshaft engines manufactured by the General Electric Company. The helicopter has fixed landing gear, an external cargo hook, a rescue hoist, and bomb racks for carrying and launching external stores. In addition, it is equipped with a sonobuoy launch system, a Helicopter In−Flight Refueling (HIFR) system, and the necessary avionics and instrumentation for instrument flight and mission accomplishment. The helicopter can operate from a variety of naval ships.
HSM-49 transitioned from the SH-60B to the MH-60R variant of the Seahawk in the spring of 2015.
The MH-60R is designed to combine the features of the legacy SH-60B and SH-60F airframes. The aircraft includes an Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) package, FLIR, multi-mode radar/IFF interrogator, airborne fleet data link, and a more advanced airborne active sonar. It is not equipped with the Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) that the SH-60B employed. Pilot instrumentation is provided by a glass cockpit, using digital monitors instead of dials and gauges.
In an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) role, Scorpion aircrews use radar, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), sonobuoys, and ship sensors to localize, classify, track, and if necessary, attack when a submarine has been detected. Aircraft can be equipped with various different torpedoes for the mission.
In an Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) role, Scorpion aircrews observe, identify, and localize threat platforms using radar, ESM, and FLIR. When a suspected threat is detected, data can be provided to the parent ship for surface−to−surface weapon engagement. Aircraft equipped with Hellfire missiles (AGM-114) may conduct independent or coordinated attacks. The MH-60R can also be equipped with the GAU-21 (.50 caliber) and M240D (7.62 mm) crew served machine guns.
Other enhanced capabilities include an ASE package, FLIR, multi-mode radar/IFF interrogator, airborne fleet data link, and an advanced airborne active sonar.
Vertical Replenishment - In the VERTREP mission, the aircraft is able to transfer material between ships, or between ship and shore.
Search and Rescue - In the SAR mission, the aircraft is designed to search for and locate a particular target/object/ship or plane and to rescue personnel using the rescue hoist.
Medical Evacuation - In the MEDEVAC mission, the aircraft provides for the medical evacuation of patients.
Communications Relay - In the COMREL mission, the aircraft relays communications between units.
Naval Surface Fire Support - In the NSFS mission, the aircraft provides a platform for spotting and controlling naval gunfire from surface ships.
Year | Award |
---|---|
1995 | Meritorious Unit Commendation |
1995 | Sikorsky Award (Most improved maintenance) |
1995 | COMHSLWINGPAC Top Torpedo Award (Outstanding ASW ordnance precision) |
1996 | Arnold J. Isbell Trophy (ASW excellence) |
1999 | CNO Aviation Safety Award |
2001 | Sikorsky Award |
2001 | COMHSLWINGPAC Top Torpedo Award |
2002 | Lockheed Martin COMHSLWINGPAC Maintenance Award |
2003 | Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award |
2004 | COMHSLWINGPAC Top Torpedo Award |
2004 | Sikorsky Aircraft Maintenance Award ("Golden Wrench") |
2008 | Arnold J. Isbell Trophy |
2008 | CNO Aviation Safety Award |
2009 | Department of the Navy Safety Excellence Award |
2009 | CNO Aviation Safety Award |
2009 | Navy Unit Commendation |
2010 | CNO Aviation Safety Award |
2011 | CNO Aviation Safety Award |
2013 | Sikorsky Aircraft Maintenance Award ("Golden Wrench") |
2013 | CNO Aviation Safety Award |
2014 | Department of the Navy Safety Excellence Award |
2014 | Sikorsky Aircraft Maintenance Award ("Golden Wrench") |
2014 | CNO Aviation Safety Award |
2015 | Meritorious Unit Commendation |
2016 | Retention Excellence Award |
2016 | Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") |
2017 | Sikorsky Aircraft Maintenance Award ("Golden Wrench") |
2017 | CNO Aviation Safety Award |
2018 | Sikorsky Aircraft Maintenance Award ("Golden Wrench") |
The 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 modifications are the folding main rotor blades and a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.
USS Jarrett (FFG-33), was the twenty-fifth ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigates, was named for Vice Admiral Harry B. Jarrett (1898–1974).
A carrier air wing is an operational naval aviation organization composed of several aircraft squadrons and detachments of various types of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Organized, equipped and trained to conduct modern US Navy carrier air operations while embarked aboard aircraft carriers, the various squadrons in an air wing have different but complementary missions, and provide most of the striking power and electronic warfare capabilities of a carrier battle group (CVBG). While the CVBG term is still used by other nations, the CVBG in US parlance is now known as a carrier strike group (CSG).
The Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) is the United States Navy's program that develops crewed helicopters to assist the surface fleet in anti-submarine warfare.
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Five One (HSM-51), also known as "Warlords," is a United States Navy helicopter squadron stationed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, located in Ayase City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Honshu, Japan. HSM-51 is part of the Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Pacific Fleet, which consists of seven squadrons based in San Diego. The squadron regularly deploys on various ships within the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet, primarily stationed in Yokosuka, Japan.
A modex is a number that is part of the Aircraft Visual Identification System, along with the aircraft's tail code. It usually consists of two or three numbers that the Department of the Navy, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps use on aircraft to identify a squadron's mission and a specific aircraft within a squadron. These numbers are painted conspicuously on the aircraft's nose—or, on helicopters, sometimes on the aft portion of the fuselage or forward portion of the empennage. Modexes are also painted less conspicuously on other aircraft areas. Shore-based aviation units use either two-digit or three-digit modexes, while carrier-based units always use three digits.
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41 (HSM-41), nicknamed the "Seahawks", is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at NAS North Island, San Diego, California.
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 (HSC-12)Golden Falcons is a United States Navy helicopter squadron formerly designated HS-2, based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, in Japan. They are attached to Carrier Air Wing Five with the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 14 (HSC-14) "Chargers" is an aviation unit of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station North Island, California (USA). HSC-14 was established as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 14 (HS-14) in 1984 and was redesignated HSC-14 in 2013. The squadron is equipped with the Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk.
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Seven (HSM-77) "Saberhawks" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan. HSM-77 is attached to Carrier Air Wing Five and deploys aboard USS Ronald Reagan and air capable ships attached to Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG-5). The squadron was established as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) Forty Seven (HSL-47) on 25 September 1987 and was redesignated HSM-77 on 2 Apr 2009.
Helicopter Maritime Strike Seven Four (HSM-74), the "Swamp Foxes", is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida. HSM-74 is attached to Carrier Air Wing Three and deploys aboard cruisers, destroyers, frigates, and aircraft carriers in support of a carrier strike group. It was established on 21 August 1986 as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) Forty Four (HSL-44)
Helicopter Maritime Strike Four Six (HSM-46), the "Grandmasters", are a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. HSM-46 deploys aboard cruisers, destroyers, and aircraft carriers in independent operations or in support of strike groups. The squadron was established on 7 April 1988 as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) Forty Six (HSL-46)
HSM-72 Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven-Two, also known as Proud Warriors is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The Proud Warriors are a part of Carrier Air Wing One and deploy aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). The squadron was established as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) Forty Two (HSL-42) on 5 October 1984
Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Pacific (HSMWSP) is a United States Navy helicopter training squadron based at NAS North Island, Coronado, California. HSMWSP provides advanced air combat weapons and tactics training and standardization for ten Pacific Fleet HSM squadrons composed of MH-60R and MQ-8B aircraft.
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Nine (HSM-79) "Griffins" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Base Rota, Rota, Spain.
Jeffrey William Hughes is a United States Navy vice admiral who serves as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development of the United States Navy since February 1, 2021.
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (HSM-73) is a United States Navy Maritime Strike helicopter squadron based on Naval Air Station North Island, California.
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Three Seven (HSM-37) "Easyriders" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. HSM-37 provides helicopter resources for all Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers based at Pearl Harbor. The squadron was established as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) Three Seven (HSL-37) on 3 July 1975 and was redesignated HSM-37 on 1 October 2013.