HSM-74 'Swamp Foxes' Complete Squadron's First MH-60R Deployed Detachment

By Lt. David Schmitt, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74 Detachment 3

USS NORMANDY, At Sea (NNS) -- The "Swamp Foxes" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 Detachment 3 successfully completed the squadron's first MH-60R deployed detachment aboard USS Normandy (CG 60).

HSM-74 embarked Normandy, a Norfolk-based, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, in early May to provide helicopter assets in support of the 40th annual Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) and FRUKUS 2012 multinational exercises.

BALTOPS is an annual event to promote mutual understanding and interoperability among forces of partnering nations. During BALTOPS '12, twenty-seven ships from twelve NATO and Partnership for Peace (PFP) countries participated. Additionally, there were more than 20 aircraft from eight NATO and PFP nations participating in this large scale Baltic Sea exercise.

"The opportunity to work with foreign nations in planning and execution is an invaluable learning experience for our junior and more experienced pilots alike," said Lt. Andrew Howerton, HSM-74 operations officer. "More importantly, the ability to hone our skills and tactics in a new environment against unfamiliar platforms provided unparalleled training opportunities and experience to all those involved."

FRUKUS is an annual, multinational training exercise between the countries of France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Russian navy hosted this year's five day training mission which involved coordination between Normandy, French frigate De Grasse (D612), Russian naval vessel Yaroslav Mudriy (727), and royal navy destroyer HMS York (D98).

"Working so closely with other sailors from around the world was my favorite part," said Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Brad Hill, a maintainer with HSM-74. "Seeing how we work with other countries, seeing their ships up close, and training with different navies brought a unique international camaraderie."

HSM-74 demonstrated the versatility of the MH-60R to allied nations, flying missions in support of surface surveillance coordination, low slow flyer intercept, maritime intercept operations, photo exercises, VIP passenger transfer flights into prepared landing zones in Lithuania, and cross deck landings aboard Denmark's HDMS Absalon (L 16).

In addition to supporting the events of BALTOPS and FRUKUS, HSM-74 conducted three short-notice medical evacuations into unfamiliar foreign airfields, ensuring fellow Sailors received urgent medical care.

"Embarking Normandy has been a terrific opportunity for our detachment to operate at sea and gain invaluable deployed experience for future operations" said Lt. Cmdr. Matt Baker, officer in charge of HSM-74 Detachment 3.

HSM-74 is stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. and is one of eight squadrons assigned to Carrier Air Wing 3.

USS Normandy Arrives off Coast of Port-Au-Prince

USS NORMANDY, At Sea (NNS) -- The cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) arrived off the coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti Jan. 17 to support Operation Unified Response, the joint U.S. military relief effort for earthquake victims.

Normandy, homeported in Norfolk, Va., will support relief efforts by providing air surveillance for the heavy air traffic in the area. The ship will also act as a ready deck, or an at sea platform able to accept helicopters on deck and provide refueling services.

Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 46, from Mayport, Fla., has two SH-60B helicopters on board Normandy and will also contribute to the relief efforts with additional airlift support.

As the Navy component command of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Naval Forces Southern Command's mission is to direct U.S. Naval forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nations navies within the maritime environment. Routine operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.

SOUTHCOM is well-versed in providing humanitarian assistance to the region. Since 2005, the command has led U.S. military support to 14 major relief missions, including assistance to Haiti in September 2008. During that mission, U.S. military forces airlifted 3.3 million pounds of aid to communities that were devastated by a succession of major storms.

Normandy Deploys to Support Humanitarian Operation in Haiti

The guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) prepares to get underway for possible disaster response to Haiti. Normandy and several other Navy vessels are underway to render humanitarian assistance after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean nation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Remus Borisov/Released)

By Ensign Adam R. Cole, Normandy Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Norfolk-based guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) left Norfolk Naval Station Jan. 13 in support of relief response for Haiti, after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the nation.

Normandy, along with the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and other U.S. military assets, will conduct humanitarian assistance/disaster response (HA/DR) efforts once on station off the coast of Haiti.

The Norfolk cruiser was selected to escort the Carl Vinson, which was underway in the Atlantic Ocean. Normandy will embark the Anti-submarine Squadron Light 46, Detachment 3 in Mayport, Fla.

"Just by taking in all the news reports, we know that there is a lot of hurt and need taking place in Haiti right now," said Commanding Officer Capt. Jeffrey T. Griffin. "We want to assist in whatever way we can and in general, support the carrier. Our hope is to contribute to the restoration of the affected parts of their country."

Prior to getting underway, Normandy was in the midst of conducting a minor maintenance period. Sailors on board, in conjunction with contractors and outside support units, worked continuously to get the ship ready to deploy in support of HA/DR missions, and were able to do so in in just 15 hours.

The ship is carrying several hundred meals-ready-to-eat (MRE) and bottles of water that can be distributed as directed by the Southern commander.

"It was stressful…but we pushed through," said Ship's Serviceman 3rd Class (SW) Demarcus Debose, 23, of Dallas, Texas, who was a key member of the supply onload. "We're glad to be able to do this and help out."

A chance to help out was on the minds of nearly all of Normandy's crew members.

"This is what I wanted to do when I joined the Navy, to aid people," said Sonar Technician 3rd Class John Kenny, 21, from Port Charlotte, Fla. "We know there are a lot of people in need there and they don't have a lot of resources. I'm not sure what impact we'll be able to make, but I hope to do as much as we can."

All on board Normandy are empathizing with the victims and want to see their lives restored as much as possible.

Normandy Completes Group Sail with Ike Strike Group Ships

By Ensign Adam R. Cole, Normandy Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- USS Normandy (CG 60) completed a three-week multimission training Oct. 19 during her first underway period since entering an Extended Dry-docking Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA) period.

The main focus of the training period was to embark the helicopter detachment for familiarization training, work alongside other Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group ships as part of a "group sail" and then independently train in the various mission areas needed to deploy.

Group sail was a seven-day operation that went from Oct. 5-12. During group sail, Normandy teamed up with six other surface ships and one submarine. Ships included the Federal German Navy Ship FGS Hessen (F 221), USS Ross (DDG 71), USS Nicholas (FFG 47), USS McFaul (DDG 74), USS Farragut (DDG 99), and USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58), plus the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720). Normandy embarked Helicopter Anti-submarine squadron light (HSL) 46, "Grandmasters," Detachment 3 for the Group Sail who brought with them the light airborne multipurpose system (LAMPS) SH-60B Seahawk.

"Group Sail proved to be an excellent opportunity for all watchstanders to perform in the areas which they have trained for," said Capt. Jeffrey T. Griffin, Normandy's Commanding officer. "We displayed that we can meet and exceed the tasking given to us as not only air defense commander but also as a vital surface combatant in the surface warfare and subsurface fight. The credit goes to every member of the crew, as each one played some kind of role."

The missions included air, surface and subsurface with the surface component being a live-fire event; both the air and subsurface events used U.S. Navy units posing as opposition forces.

On any given day, Normandy would conduct a mix of operations: landing the SH-60B helicopter, searching for a submarine, transiting in a screen with accompanying ships, or simulating defense on inbound aircraft.

Of the mission areas, particular attention was focused on anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Particularly, the Integrated ASW Course Phase II (IAC II) proved to be the highlight of the Group Sail as it evolved live contacts and a coordinated effort between all ships and helicopters. Normandy sonar technicians had to be at their best to positively identify the subsurface threats, track them, and ultimately engage with weapons in a simulated firing, both of a vertically launched anti-submarine rocket and a torpedo.

"I think we have a strong team that worked well together," said Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SW) Alan C. Bratz. "We had trained well, knew our equipment well, and it just came together."

Also important was furthering the air-surface interoperability between the Normandy and the ship's embarked helicopter detachment, which will be deploying with Normandy next year.

The helicopter detachment embarked Normandy Oct. 1 for what is known as Week One Workups (WOWU). There, Normandy and the Grandmaster pilots did a series of landings, during the day and at night. It set the stage for the very active group sail period, in which the pilots and flight deck personnel had to be closely linked to achieve mission accomplishment.

"I think both WOWU and Group Sail were very successful," said Lt. Brian Mowry, air department maintenance officer. "The ship was very helpful, both the flight deck crew and the bridge, to ensure that we had safe take offs and landings. We were working hand in hand with a lot of ship's force in order to achieve mission accomplishment."

Of the days that the helicopter detachment was embarked, the helicopter was up in the air for 67.5 hours in total, being used primarily in the ASW mission.

Such hours and such operations meant a lot of flight quarters for the crew, often early in the morning and late at night. Though strenuous, the Normandy flight deck team was happy to oblige.

"We are one team," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Rueben Benders. "It was a lot of flight quarters, but we knew we had to get it done. Everyone performed at their best."

Normandy is a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser based in Norfolk, Va.