HS-3 'Tridents' Return Home

By Kaylee LaRocque, Naval Air Station Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- The "Tridents" of Helicopter Squadron Three (HS-3), who aided in the capture and transport of 16 suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden back in February, returned home to NAS Jacksonville April 16 after a deployment on board USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

HS-3 deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a component of Carrier Air Wing Eight for seven and a half months flying more than 3,800 direct combat support flight hours.

In January, the squadron provided three HH-60H aircraft to Commander, Combined Task Force 151 supporting counterpiracy operations on board USS San Antonio (LPD 17)and USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1). With piracy continuing to be a huge problem in this area, Navy forces are on high alert.

"All of our missions are dangerous but we just continue to do our job professionally," said HS-3 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Scott Starkey.

The squadron was actually split up and tasked with new missions.

"We're trained to handle all warfighting assignments," said Lt. Chris Brinkac.

Of course, his best mission was arriving home to greet his family.

"I'm just glad to be home. It's what I've been waiting for," he added.

During the deployment, HS-3 along with the Roosevelt also made a historic port visit to Cape Town, South Africa in October 2008, marking the first visit of a U.S. aircraft carrier to the country of South Africa in over 40 years. While in port, the Tridents conducted an emergent at-anchor 80,000 pound vertical replenishment to aid in a cooperative engagement with the South African government.

HS-3 is comprised of 24 officers and 174 enlisted Sailors. The squadron flies four SH-60F and three HH-60H Seahawk helicopters.

Helo Squadron's Flexibility Supports Counterpiracy Ops

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian Goodwin, Combined Task Force 151

An HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter attached to the "Tridents" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 3 soars trhough the skies around the Gulf of Aden in support of the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17). San Antonio is the command ship for Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, which conducts counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea and was established to create a lawful maritime order and develop security in the maritime environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John K. Hamilton/Released)

USS SAN ANTONIO, At Sea (NNS) -- Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 3, attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), is embarked aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) in support of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151's counterpiracy mission.

HS 3's primary role in CTF 151 operations is to provide aerial support with its HH-60H and SH-60F helicopters, which specialize in combat search and rescue, mobility and logistics.

"We present a show of force when flying above any suspected pirate vessels while the boarding teams track them in the [rigid-hull inflatable boats], and we can definitely provide a rescue platform during the operation as well as a show of firepower," said Cmdr. William Cox, HS 3's executive officer.

San Antonio was chosen as the afloat forward staging base (AFSB) for HS 3 because of the ship's many capabilities. Its hangar bay can house two helicopters with plenty of space for maintenance, and its large flight deck allows the squadron to launch four helicopters at the same time if needed.

HS 3 brought everything they needed for sustainment during the mission, such as parts for the helicopters and optimal manning in logistics.

"We had to decide how many of our Sailors we could bring over to San Antonio from Theodore Roosevelt without taking away all the quality of work we provide on the carrier," added Cox.

HS 3 Sailors are enjoying working alongside San Antonio's crew while supporting CTF 151's counterpiracy mission.

"We've never worked with the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, and it's exciting to be in this atmosphere of working with the international community on San Antonio's first deployment," said Cox.

"My Sailors are great people who do a great job for me every day, and we're just happy to be a part of this event."

San Antonio's Air Department provides HS 3 with the manpower it needs to carry out the various CTF 151 operations.

"We provide safe ground support for the aircraft with directing, landing and refueling," said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Richard Romious, the air department's leading chief petty officer. "Our handlers make sure the helicopters are chocked and chained to the hangar or flight deck, and our fuels personnel provide quality assurance through our refueling their craft."

San Antonio's crew spent weeks making the necessary changes and configurations to prepare the ship for its current mission. These changes allowed several spaces to be available for use by the various embarked units, including HS 3.

"We have configured several of the ship's spaces so that the equipment and resources available are tailored to the specific missions that the CTF 151 staff, along with the help of San Antonio's personnel, will be planning and executing," said Lt. Cmdr. Sean Kearns, San Antonio's executive officer.

Although three helicopters from the squadron are currently part of CTF 151, the rest of the squadron is still aboard the aircraft carrier supporting maritime security operations and Operation Enduring Freedom in the North Arabian Sea.

San Antonio is the flagship for Combined Task Force (CTF) 151. CTF 151 is a multinational task force conducting counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Red Sea. It was established to create a lawful maritime order and develop security in the maritime environment.