Newly Named HSC 12 Carries on Rich Tradition

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Sarah E. Bitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- After 57 years of service, the longest standing helicopter squadron in Navy history, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 2 (HS-2), became the most recent squadron to transition to the MH-60S Seahawk Helicopter and changed its name to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 (HSC-12) during a ceremony on Naval Air Station North Island, Aug. 6.

Despite the new command designation, aircraft and mission, at least one thing remained unchanged - the squadron's keeps its nickname, "Golden Falcons".

"The aircraft may look different, the name may be different, but the excellence, the history, the dedication, the courage and the legacy of HS-2 not only will remain, but that is the foundation that will be the bedrock that these men and women will use to build HSC-12's legacy from this day forward," said Cmdr. Terence Hoeft, a native of Livonia, Mich., HSC-12 commanding officer.

Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class (AW) John Alba, a Porterville, Calif., native, explained that he is looking forward to the new experience and is happy to be part of this transition.

"This is my first squadron, and it's going to be a great experience," said Alba. "It is a great experience to say that I am plankowner of the squadron, and I am very excited to be a part of it."

This transition is a major milestone for the "Golden Falcons," who were established March 7, 1952 as the first anti-submarine warfare helicopter squadron on the West coast. The squadron has flown six different models of helicopters, most recently the SH-60F and HH-60H, which are now being retired as the squadron accepts MH-60S Seahawks. The squadron will lose the anti-submarine warfare mission, but HSC-12 will continue to focus on the core mission areas of search and rescue, combat search and rescue, naval special warfare, anti-surface warfare and logistics.

HS-2 to become HSC-12

The “World Famous Golden Falcons” of HS-2 to become HSC-12

On August 6th, 2009 the Navy’s oldest HS squadron will officially be redesignated HSC-12. Since the squadron’s establishment in 1952, it has flown six different models of helicopters, most recently the SH-60F and HH-60H, which are now being retired as the squadron accepts MH-60S armed helicopters. The squadron will lose the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) mission but Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWELVE (HSC-12) will continue to focus on the core mission areas of Search and Rescue (SAR), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Naval Special Warfare (NSW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) and Logistics.

Possessing a long and distinguished history, spanning fifty-seven years, HS-2 has been at the forefront of tactical proficiency, technological innovation, and humanitarian service among Naval Rotary Wing Aviation. The men and women of HSC-12 will carry on that legacy, ever mindful of the historical roots from which they came.

The transition ceremony will be held on August 6th 2009 at 1000, in the squadron’s hangar space (Bldg 1456) onboard Naval Base Coronado

HSL-47/HS-2 Conduct Air Power Demonstration

An SH-60B Seahawk helicopter assigned to the "Saberhawks" of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light (HSL) 47 flying the American flag and an HH-60H Seahawk helicopter assigned to the "Golden Falcons" of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 2 fly over the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) during an air power demonstration. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Geoffrey Lewis (Released)

Crew Members Rescued from Navy Helo Crash off Cal Coast

All seven crew members were rescued from a crash of a Navy HH-60H Seahawk helicopter off the coast of southern California Nov. 11 and returned safely to USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) with minor injuries.

The helicopter crashed at approximately 9 p.m. local time.

The helicopter is assigned to "Golden Falcons" Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 2, stationed at Naval Air Station North Island. It was providing support for the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group at the time of the crash. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The Everett, Wash.-based Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, embarked Carrier Air Wing 2, the ships of Destroyer Squadron 9, and commander, Carrier Strike Group 9 are underway approximately 100 miles from San Diego participating in Composite Training Unit Exercise.

The exercise is designed to enhance the interoperability of the strike group. The strike group is completing qualifications in preparation to deploy overseas early next year.