HSM-78 Opersting in Philippine Sea

PHILIPPINE SEA (April 24, 2017) An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the  "Blue Hawks" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 fires chaff flares during a training exercise near the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia Pacific routinely for more than 70 years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean M. Castellano/Released)

Newest MH-60R Squadron Established Aboard NASNI

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The "Blue Hawks" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78, the fourth of six HSM squadrons established, held its commissioning ceremony aboard Naval Air Station North Island, March 1.

"The significance of this establishment ceremony is to introduce to our Navy, the public, and soon those across the globe that the HSM community's newest MH-60R Carrier Air Wing squadron has arrived," said Capt. Jeffrey W. Hughes, commander of Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific. "We are meeting a significant milestone in its progression to becoming the primary and premiere aviation sea control asset."

After months of training its pilots and maintenance crew while acquiring all of their equipment and preparing for maintenance inspections, the crewmembers were able to enjoy the benefits of being the first members of the HSM-78 squadron.

"It's a rare occasion and a great day when a new squadron is commissioned in the Navy, " said HSM-78 first Commanding Officer Cmdr. William Bucey. "And it's a very unique opportunity to stand up a squadron, I am honored."

"I am loving the fact that I get to be a plankowner," said Aviation Machinist's Mate 1st Class Marvin Journet. "I've been in the Navy for 15 years and this is my first time being a plankowner."

"The Blue Hawks will contribute unique and awesome capabilities to the geographic combat commanders in the Pacific and Central areas of responsibilities to provide necessary influence to global affairs via humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts or through kinetic striking power," Hughes said.

HSM-78 is currently assigned to Carrier Air Wing 17 and is scheduled to deploy aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in 2014.

HSM-78 will consist of 280 crewmembers, both enlisted and officers, and 11 new MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters before their first deployment.

"I can say with absolute confidence that they will be ready," said Hughes.

Bucey said all of the other helicopter squadrons are going through the transition of changing from flying MH-60B helicopters to flying MH-60R model.

HSM-78 Prepares for Establishment

By Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Amanda Huntoon, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78, the second HSM squadron to stand up in San Diego, prepared for its establishment at Naval Air Station North Island by hanging the squadron's sign Oct. 25.

The squadron's establishment ceremony is scheduled for March 2012, but until then the pre-commissioning unit is focusing on training its pilots and maintenance crew, getting all of their equipment and preparing for upcoming maintenance inspections.

"Everything that I am doing right now in preparation for the establishment of the squadron will be affecting the people a few years from now," said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Sparkole Dyeth. "We are setting the future Sailors of this command either up for success or up for failure based on how we put it all together. I am nervous, but we are on the right path. It's all coming together."

There are currently fewer than 50 Sailors assigned to HSM-78, both enlisted and officer, who are preparing the squadron for its establishment. By the time of the establishment ceremony, HSM-78 will have 290 Sailors and 12 new MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

"It is cool being a plankowner at this new squadron," said Logistic Specialist 3rd Class Clint Kear, assigned to HSM-78. "I think that they hand-picked a lot of people to come and be part of the establishment of this command. We have a really great chain of command."

The mission of HSM-78 will be to assist the air wing on aircraft carriers, as well as sending detachments out to the strike groups on destroyer squadrons. They are scheduled to begin deploying in 2014.

"This command is unique, because it is a new standup squadron," said HSM-78 Commanding Officer Cmdr. William Bucey. "The Navy and the helicopter community, in general, do not build many helicopter squadrons up from scratch."

According to Bucey, all of the other helicopter squadrons are going through the transition of changing from flying MH-60B helicopters to flying the MH-60R model. HSM-78 is the second squadron in San Diego that is starting from the ground up.