 |
| NORFOLK (Aug. 29, 2013) The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) returns to homeport at Naval Station Norfolk for the first time in four years. Theodore Roosevelt was redelivered to the U.S. Navy today following successful sea trials that tested the ship's systems after its refueling and complex overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries by Ricky Thompson/Released) |
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kris R. Lindstrom, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 11 (HS-11) from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, known as the Dragonslayers, arrived aboard aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Sept. 11.
HS-11 is part of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) and is the first squadron of CVW-1 to come aboard Theodore Roosevelt for flight operations.
HS-11's capabilities include combat search and rescue (CSAR), special warfare, anti-submarine warfare, vertical replenishment, anti-ship missile defense and passenger and cargo transfer.
The Dragonslayers operate two variations of the Sea Hawk helicopter to carry out their various missions. They are SH-60F (Foxtrot) and HH-60H (Hotel) helicopters.
"The Foxtrot has a dipping sonar system that is used to find submarines and the Hotel can carry HELLFIRE missiles on it for force protection," said Lt. Daniel Foose, a pilot for the Dragonslayers.
HELLFIRE stands for Helicopter Launched, Fire and Forget missile. It is a short-range, laser or radar-guided, air-to-ground missile system.
With the helicopters now aboard the Big Stick, HS-11 will focus on flight deck qualifications needed for CVW 1 to be fully operational.
"Each mission is different," said Senior Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate Charwin Carrington, acting command master chief of HS-11. "We have to get all of our aircrew and aircraft on the same page as far as having our systems up at all times."
Carrington said that it takes everyone, from the lowest ranking airman to the commanding officer, for the Dragonslayers to be operational.
"I'm excited to be aboard the [Theodore] Roosevelt," said Carrington. "I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead."
Among the previous commands that HS-11 has been a part of, the most recent was with USS Enterprise (CVN 65) which is similar to a number of other Sailors aboard from the same command.
The Dragonslayers are just one squadron of the air wing to bring their aircraft aboard. Other aircraft may include F/A-18 Super Hornets, F/A-18 Hornets, E2-C Hawkeyes and E/A-18G Growlers.
