HSM-37 Operating in the Philippine Sea

 An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter of the Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM 37) lands on the flight deck of the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93). Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, Chung-Hoon is operating as part of the John C. Stennis Strike Group and Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marcus L. Stanley/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.

Navy establishes first MH-60 Romeo squadron on the east coast.

The U.S. Navy has established a new MH-60R squadron on the east coast of the United States. Learn more about the Spartans in a video report at http://www.navy.mil/swf/mmu/mmplyr.asp?id=12759

Navy Establishes First MH-60R Squadron

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/NAC) David C. Mercil, Fleet Public Affairs Center Pacific
Sailors assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 service a MH-60R Seahawk.

The Navy established Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 in a ceremony held at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, Oct. 4.

The first MH-60R squadron, HSM 71's aircraft is replacing the SH-60B and SH-60F aircraft due to possessing the combined capabilities of the two aircraft.

“The (MH-60R) aircraft changes the way we fly, the way we fight and the way we go to sea,” said Rear Adm. Garry E. Hall, commander, Amphibious Group 2.

The Navy has been working to implement the MH-60R for more than a decade. HSM 71 is the first of five MH-60R squadrons; other MH-60R squadrons are expected to be established in the future.

“Now, we have one aircraft with all the capabilities of every (previous) aircraft,” said Cmdr. Michael K. Nortier, HSM-71's commanding officer. “That’s a significant change.”

Although the mission requirements of the MH-60R will be similar to the SH-60B and SH-60F, the new aircraft features upgraded mission and flight displays, an improved advanced flight control computer and an integrated self-defense suite.

“This aircraft is the aircraft that is taking over the anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare helicopter missions for the U.S. Navy,” said Lt. Carey Castilian, HSM 71's readiness officer. “It has the radar of the SH-60B and the sonar from the SH-60F.”

Unlike traditional helicopter anti-submarine light squadrons, which deploy in separate detachments to small ships, HSM 71 will deploy to an aircraft carrier as part of the carrier air wing. HSM 71’s first deployment is scheduled to be aboard USS John C. Stennis’ (CVN 74) next deployment.

“We just got a new ‘bird,’ and it’s a new squadron,” said Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Joseph Grandas, assigned to HSM 71. “I feel it’s more exciting than challenging.”

HSM 71’s primary mission will be to support surface and anti-submarine warfare, command, control and communications, command and control warfare and mobility and non-combat operations. The secondary mission will be to support search and rescue, medical evacuation, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support and communications relay.

HSM-41 Receives First MH-60R Helicopter Trainer

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) James Seward, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41 on Naval Station North Island was given the first MH-60R (Romeo) Tactical Operational Flight Trainer 2 (TOFT 2) Aug. 3.

As soon as the simulator doors opened, HSM-41 pilots and air crewmen immediately began training with the TOFT 2.

"It is a proud day for naval aviation," said Capt. J.C. Shuab, HSM-41's commanding officer. "The TOFT 2 simulator is the future air warfare and gives our Navy the upper hand in precision and mission readiness."

According to Cmdr. Ed Balaton, Romeo training systems program manager of NAVAIR, benefits from the TOFT 2 include a more realistic simulation of combat environments along with having the ability to train for nearly every scenario.

"We began developing the TOFT 2 about a year ago," said Balaton. "We have added many new features including new designs weapon systems technology, graphics capabilities, and electro-hydraulic machinery that require far less maintenance than its predecessor."

Besides being equipped with the latest technology, the main goal of the TOFT 2 is to reduce mishap numbers and ensure pilots and aircrewmen return from their mission safely.

"Safety is a major concern of just about any squadron in the fleet," said Navy Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class (NAC) Brain Hartwick. "The more realistic the training field is, the better prepared we'll be up in the air."

In the near future, the TOFT 2 will be able to link systems with other training simulators in different locations across the world and throughout every branch of service, said Balaton.

"The TOFT 2 is by far the best trainer in the world, which means our pilots are the best trained in the world," continued Balaton. "With plug and play technology currently in development, we will be able to simulate a full scale war scenario with ships in the fleet and Marines on the ground."