Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Pacific

Last updated
HSM Weapons School Pacific
(HSMWSP)
HSMWSP Logo 2.jpg
HSM Weapons School Pacific logo
ActiveMay 2005 to present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
Branch United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg United States Navy
TypeNavy Helicopter Squadron
RoleTraining
Part of Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific
Garrison/HQ NAS North Island, Coronado, California
Nickname(s)"Honey Badgers"
Commanders
Current
commander		CDR Matthew G. Humphrey
Executive officerCDR Jonathan L. Baron
Senior Enlisted AdvisorAWRCS (NAC/AW/SW) Bobby L. Deaton

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.

Contents

It is part of Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Pacific, itself part of Commander Naval Air Force, Pacific (COMNAVAIRPAC).

Mission

Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Pacific provides advanced tactical training and designation programs to increase overall tactical readiness and standardization of HSM aircrews and ordnance technicians. This training provides the foundation necessary to prepare crews for increasingly diverse missions and is achieved through the following programs:

Helicopter Advanced Readiness Program (HARP)

HARP is a graduate level exercise designed to ensure aircrew are capable of using basic, intermediate, and advanced level tactics to effectively fly and fight the aircraft. It is a four-week course for 24–36 students which combines academic instruction, flight simulator events, tactical flights, and live fire exercises to certify crews for deployment.

Air Combat Training Continuum (ACTC)

The ACTC program is a progressive pilot and aircrew tactical qualification program that encompasses five levels of technical and tactical knowledge, flight proficiency, and leadership training leading to qualifications. HSMWSP is responsible for providing guidance and assigning responsibilities to all HSM Wing Pacific commands to ensure individual and unit readiness.

Conventional Weapons Technical Proficiency Inspection (CWTPI)

CWTPI trains and evaluates ordnance load teams on explosive safety, weapon inspections, crew serve weapon maintenance, AN/ALE-47 dispenser magazine build-up, aircraft loading/downloading, arming/de-arming, and aircraft safing procedures.

History

After an initial cadre of Helicopter Anti-submarine Light (HSL) pilots and aircrewmen graduated the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor (SWTI) course in Fallon, Nevada,[ citation needed ] they returned to NAS North Island in Coronado, California to form the HSL Weapons and Tactics Unit (WTU). Attached to Commander, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Wing (Light) Pacific, the WTU provided Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-surface Warfare (SUW), and Hostile Environment (HE) tactical instruction to the squadrons of the HSL Wing. Expanding on the work of the WTU and preparing for the community transition to the Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) mission, the Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Pacific (HSMWSP) was officially established in 2005 as an Echelon V command. Since then, HSMWSP has recruited experienced pilots, helicopter aircrewmen, intelligence analysts, and ordnance technicians and trained them as instructors; who in turn train and evaluate Fleet aircrew and ordnance technicians.

Since 2005, HSMWSP has executed 45 HARPs, ensuring the combat readiness of over 1,000 SH-60B and MH-60R pilots and aircrewmen. Aviation ordnance instructors have to date conducted 209 ordnance inspections and assist visits. Since 2006, the command has also certified West Coast crews in the Airborne Use of Force mission.

From 2008–10, HSMWSP provided over 1,000 hours of flight instruction to Republic of Singapore Navy and Air Force S-70B aircrew.

In 2014, the Weapons School created the inaugural Advanced Readiness Program (ARP) for the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle, providing basic tactical training for the first composite detachment deployments [1] of the MQ-8B.

In June and July 2014, HSMWSP led the HSM Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative exercise (DESI-EX) of 2014. Working with five HSM squadrons, two P-3 squadrons, a destroyer, the Chilean Type 209 class submarine Thompson, [2] and post-mission analysis experts from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), the team produced 100 hours of ASW time and an unprecedented level of tactical feedback and innovation, including research into an HSM requirement for in-cockpit bottom topography. Additionally, the multi-national exercise provided training for 32 crews in advanced counter-diesel ASW; testing their ASW skills against a skilled adversary in a variety of challenging environments.

Command history

CommanderStart dateEnd date
CDR Michael J. HammondMay 2005July 2006
CDR Andrew MilesJuly 2006November 2007
CDR Kieran S. TwomeyNovember 2007March 2009
CDR Randall J. BiggsMarch 2009May 2010
CDR Russ C. RainesMay 2010August 2011
CDR Robert R. KenyonAugust 2011November 2012
CDR Jonathan B. BaronNovember 2012March 2014
CDR James F. HartmanMarch 2014June 2015
CDR Matthew G. HumphreyJune 2015September 2016
CDR Jonathan L. BaronSeptember 2016December 2017
CDR Christopher M. ConlonDecember 2017Present

Squadron aircraft

SH-60 Seahawk

MQ-8 Fire Scout

See also

Related Research Articles

Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk Naval helicopter series of the H-60/S-70 family

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 and a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.

Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center

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HSM-51

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HSC-8

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight (HSC-8) "Eightballers" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. HSC-8 is attached to Carrier Air Wing 11 (CVW-11) and deploys aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt. HSC-8 was redesignated from HS-8 on 28 September 2007.

HSM-71

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven One (HSM-71) is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. Nicknamed the "Raptors", they are attached to Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) and deploy with the strike group centred on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). The squadron was formed on October 4, 2007 and was the first fleet squadron to receive the MH-60R Seahawk. It received its first Battle "E" in 2009, and was also awarded the Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for superior air antisubmarine warfare (ASW) in 2009 and again in 2010.

HSC-85

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron EIGHT FIVE (HSC-85) is a United States Navy Reserve forces helicopter squadron (RESFORON) based out of Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. The "FIREHAWKS" of HSC-85 are Reserve and Active Component Sailors who operate and maintain Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk helicopters.

HSM-41

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41 (HSM-41) Seahawks is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at NAS North Island, San Diego, California.

HSC-12

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.

HSC-5

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron FIVE (HSC-5), also known as the Nightdippers, is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Station Norfolk operating the Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk. The Nightdippers are a part of Carrier Air Wing Seven and deploy aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) to provide anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, vertical replenishment, Combat Search and Rescue and Naval Special Warfare Support capabilities to the carrier strike group.

HS-10 Warhawks

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 10 (HS-10) was a United States Navy helicopter anti-submarine squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 10 (HS-10), a shore-based unit of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, was established on 30 June 1960 at NALF Imperial Beach, California. HS-10 was relocated to Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California on 23 December 1976.

HSC-14

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.

HSM-77 Saberhawks

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HSM-74

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)

HSM-46

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-49

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49 (HSM-49) is a United States Navy Maritime Strike helicopter squadron based Naval Air Station North Island, California.

HSM-73

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (HSM-73) is a United States Navy Maritime Strike helicopter squadron based on Naval Air Station North Island, California.

HSM-37 American Navy helicopter squadron

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.

References

  1. ↑ Robinson, Seth (23 September 2014). "In first, Fire Scout drone helicopters being deployed to Pacific". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 1 August 2015.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  2. ↑ Jones, Corey T. (2 May 2014). "Chilean Submarine Arrives in San Diego; Continues Partnership with US Navy". navy.mil. Retrieved 1 August 2015.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)

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