HSM-77 Saberhawks

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Seven (HSM-77)
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Seven (HSM-77)
	HSM-77 Insignia
Active	25 September 1987 to present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Navy Helicopter Squadron
Role	Surface Warfare (SUW); Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Part of	CVW-5; Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific
Garrison/HQ	NAF Atsugi, Japan
Nickname(s)	"Saberhawks"
Engagements	Operation Earnest Will; Gulf War; Operation Desert Shield; Operation Desert Storm; Operation Enduring Freedom; Operation Iraqi Freedom; Global War on Terror; Operation New Dawn
Commanders
Current; commander	CDR Sean T. Cavanagh

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Seven (HSM-77) "Saberhawks" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan. HSM-77 is attached to Carrier Air Wing Five and deploys aboard USS Ronald Reagan and air capable ships attached to Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG-5). The squadron was established as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) Forty Seven (HSL-47) on 25 September 1987 and was redesignated HSM-77 on 2 Apr 2009.

Squadron insignia during period of designation as HSL-47

Mission

The squadron's primary mission is to employ the versatility of the MH-60R helicopter to support the battle group commander's objectives, with emphasis on Surface Warfare (SUW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). Secondary missions include Search and Rescue (SAR), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS), and Communications Relay (COMREL). The Saberhawks of HSM-77 fly the newest aircraft in the U.S. Navy fleet, the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, which elevates tactical maritime mission capability to a new level, far surpassing previous fleet capability. With its state-of-the-art avionics, mission systems, and cockpit, the MH-60R is the world's most capable Naval helicopter. The aircraft features a glass cockpit and significant mission system improvements over the SH-60B, which give the MH-60R unmatched capability as an airborne multi-mission Naval platform. The MH-60R is tasked with performing Anti-Submarine Warfare, Surface Warfare, Over-the-Horizon Targeting (OTH-T) on board aircraft carriers and Navy surface combatant ships.

History

An SH-60B of HSL-47 providing disaster relief in Sumatra

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN SEVEN "Saberhawks" began its illustrious history as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR SEVEN (HSL-47). Established on 25 September 1987 at NAS North Island, the Saberhawks of HSL-47 employed the SH-60B helicopter. Since its inception, the Saberhawks have been at the forefront of helicopter operations in the Pacific Fleet. In 1991, HSL-47 deployed five detachments in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and flew over 2,000 combat, combat support and contingency hours. The Saberhawks also played an integral role in Operation Southern Watch, providing seventeen detachments from 1992–2005. In 1992, Detachment TWO rendered the first assistance to Somali citizens during Operation Restore Hope. HSL-47 deployed the first SH-60B (Armed Helo) detachment (Detachment 4) on an aircraft carrier, USS Constellation, in 2001 and 2002-2003 (Operation Iraqi Freedom). Detachment 4 paved the way for HSL-47 to become the first HSL Squadron to become an integrated part of the Carrier Air Wing. The Squadron joined the Broadswords of Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2) on 1 April 2004, bringing eight SH-60B helicopters for their first deployment. Under the Navy's Helo CONOPS "Bravo to Sea (B2C)" initiative, HSL-47 led the LAMPS Community's transition from traditional SH-60B expeditionary operations, to carrier based MH-60R operations.

During its 2004–2005 deployment, HSL-47 became the first LAMPS helicopter squadron deployed in its entirety on board an aircraft carrier, Abraham Lincoln, with the squadron providing LAMPS detachments to the other ships within Carrier Strike Group Nine. HSL-47 detachments operated two helicopters from the guided-missile cruiser Cape St. George as well as two from the guided-missile destroyer Shoup.^[1]

HSL-47 leads an airwing flyby on board USS *Abraham Lincoln*

Following the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004, HSL-47 and the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group sped to assist the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Arriving on 31 December, the Saberhawks flew a total of 1,223 hours, distributing 404,647 lbs of food, 190,246 lbs of water and supplies, and conducting seventy medical evacuations. Prior to their 2006 deployment, HSL-47 took part in their first Air Wing Fallon in 2005, and also flew mission in response to Hurricane Katrina. In support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, HSL-47, conducted 173 rescues and delivered 76,000 pounds of food, water, and medical supplies over nineteen days.

For its 2006 Deployment, two SH-60B Seahawk aviation repairable pack-up kits, including four aviation consumable Vidmar cabinets, were transferred from Naval Air Station North Island, California, to the carrier Abraham Lincoln. This equipment was required to support the second deployment on board Abraham Lincoln of the SH-60B-To-Carrier Pilot program that assigned the carrier to direct support of squadron HSL-47, a full squadron of SH-60B Seahawk helicopters that would be dispersed throughout the carrier strike group.^[2] On 15 April 2006, HSL-47 helicopters and the guided-missile destroyer Russell provided aid to a fishing vessel in distress while operating in the South China Sea.^[3] Following the completion of its 2006 deployment, the two SH-60B Seahawk aviation repairable pack-up kits, including four aviation consumable Vidmar cabinets, were returned to Naval Air Station North Island.^[2]

On 2 April 2009, HSL-47 transitioned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN SEVEN. The Saberhawks were attached to CVW-2 and the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group and deployed for the first time with the MH-60R.

On 14 May 2012, during its 2012 deployment, HSM-77 Detachment Five completed its temporary operational rotation on board the British replenishment oiler Fort Victoria which was serving as the flagship for Combined Task Force 151. This was the first time that a MH-60R helicopter had ever operated from a Royal Navy ship. The detachment's helicopters primarily concentrated on anti-piracy surveillance missions during this two-week period.^[4]

In early 2013, the squadron executed a homeport change from NAS North Island, California to NAF Atsugi, Japan, to join the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group and Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5). Four months after settling into Japan, the squadron took part in two SEVENTH Fleet patrols on board George Washington and Antietam. The patrols allowed the Saberhawks to prove their capabilities during numerous multinational training exercises including Talisman Saber 2013, Maritime Counter Special Operations Forces exercises, and Annualex. Additionally, the Saberhawks participated in Operation Damayan, providing Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief in response to Super Typhoon Haiyan. During the eight-day operation, the Saberhawks safely flew six aircraft from sunrise to sunset for a total of 75 sorties and 392 mishap-free flight hours. The squadron delivered 183,920 pounds of food, 6,417 gallons of water, 2,000 pounds of medical supplies, and safely transported 59 refugees and six medevacs. As of August 2015, the squadron operates aboard USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group as a member of Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5) in support of Forward Deployed Naval Forces Japan.

Command history

Commander	Start date	End date
CDR J. D. McAfee	25 September 1987	9 September 1988
CDR D. A. Rannells	9 September 1988	1 September 1989
CDR J. C. Boyer	1 September 1989	6 September 1990
CDR T. M. Naple	6 September 1990	16 August 1991
CDR R. J. Vernon	16 August 1991	6 November 1992
CDR M. N. Wellman	6 November 1992	10 February 1994
CDR I. P. Fetterman	10 February 1994	25 May 1995
CDR J. R. Campbell	25 May 1995	5 September 1996
CDR L. J. McCoy	5 September 1996	21 November 1997
CDR T. J. Culora	21 November 1997	3 June 1999
CDR G. S. Smith	3 June 1999	5 October 2000
CDR C. S. Chesnutt	5 October 2000	7 February 2002
CDR M. J. Pringle	7 February 2002	8 May 2003
CDR M. K. Hannan	8 May 2003	24 August 2004
CDR F. J. Michael	24 August 2004	8 December 2005
CDR D. E. Boyles	8 December 2005	1 May 2007
CDR S. P. Malone	1 May 2007	2 July 2008
CDR J. P. Olive	2 July 2008	27 August 2009
CDR C. W. Michaels	27 August 2009	12 November 2010
CDR K. A. Strong	12 November 2010	4 January 2012
CDR B. C. Gaut	4 January 2012	15 February 2013
CDR Richard W. Whitfield	15 February 2013	10 April 2014
CDR Lonnie L. Appleget	10 April 2014	4 July 2015
CDR Kenneth P. Ward	4 July 2015	4 October 2016
CDR Robert G. Wickman	4 October 2016	26 November 2017
CDR Charles N. Mckissick	26 November 2017	22 February 2019
CDR Stephen D. Steacy	22 February 2019	25 April 2020
CDR Thomas J. Uhl	25 April 2020	29 April 2021
CDR Nicholas F. Cunningham	29 April 2021	1 August 2022
CDR Blade A. Schallenberger	1 August 2022	7 September 2023
CDR Sean T. Cavanagh	7 September 2023	Present

Squadron aircraft

SH-60 Seahawk

SH-60B, 1987–2009
MH-60R, 2009 – present (redesignated HSM-77 on 2 April 2009)

Squadron awards

2001 – Battle "E"
2005 – Humanitarian Service Medal
2007 – Battle "E"
2008 – Battle "E"
2010 – Battle "E"
2011 – Battle "E"
2011 – COMPACFLT Retention Excellence Award
2011 – Blue "H" Award
2011 – Blue "M" Award
2011 – CNO Aviation Safety Award
2011 – COMHSMWINGPAC/Sikorsky "Golden Wrench" Maintenance Excellence Award
2011 – Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy
2012 – Secretary of the Navy Safety Excellence Award
2012 – COMHSMWINGPAC/Sikorsky "Golden Wrench" Maintenance Excellence Award
2012 – Secretary of Defense Phoenix Award
2012 – Battle "E"
2012 – COMNAVAIRFOR Admiral J.S. "Jimmy" Thach Award
2014 – COMPACFLT Retention Excellence Award
2014 – Battle "E"
2015 – COMPACFLT Retention Excellence Award
2015 – Meritorious Unit Commendation
2015 – Humanitarian Service Medal
2018 – Secretary of the Navy Safety Excellence Award
2020 – COMHSMWINGPAC/Sikorsky "Golden Wrench" Maintenance Excellence Award
2020 - Battle "E"
2021 - Secretary of Defense Phoenix Award
2021 - Meritorious Unit Commendation

Ships deployed aboard

Gallery

HSL-47 launches off USS Abraham Lincoln to provide disaster relief in Sumatra
HSL-47 ready to flyoff from home to support Abraham Lincoln Strike Group operations
An SH-60B deploys its flares while evasively maneuvering
An SH-60B approaches the deck of the USS Curts for recovery following a mission supporting OIF
An SH-60B on alert strapped and ready to support OIF Operations on USS Curts

References

^ Curtis A. Utz and Mark L. Evans (July–August 2005). "The Year in Review 2004". Naval Aviation News. Washington, DC: U.S. Navy. Retrieved 24 December 2010. LAMPS MK III Ship Deployments, 2004
^ ^a ^b "USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72): 2004 Operations". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
^ Journalist 1st Class Michael Murdock, USN (18 April 2006). "HSL-47, USS Russell Assist Vessel in Distress". NNS060418-07. USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 December 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ ^a ^b Lt. j.g. Adam Arndt, USN (8 June 2012). "HSM-77 Deploys First MH-60R on British Ship". NNS120608-17. Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 Public Affairs. Retrieved 11 June 2012.

External links

[1] Curtis A. Utz and Mark L. Evans (July–August 2005). "The Year in Review 2004". Naval Aviation News. Washington, DC: U.S. Navy. Retrieved 24 December 2010. LAMPS MK III Ship Deployments, 2004

[CVN72DANFS-2] "USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72): 2004 Operations". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 21 December 2010.

[3] Journalist 1st Class Michael Murdock, USN (18 April 2006). "HSL-47, USS Russell Assist Vessel in Distress". NNS060418-07. USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 December 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[NNS120608-17-4] Lt. j.g. Adam Arndt, USN (8 June 2012). "HSM-77 Deploys First MH-60R on British Ship". NNS120608-17. Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 Public Affairs. Retrieved 11 June 2012.

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