HS-8

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Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Eight
HS-8 Squadron Emblem
Active	June 1, 1956
Country	United States
Branch	USN
Type	Naval Helicopter Squadron
Role	anti-submarine warfare (ASW) anti-surface warfare (ASUW) Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) search and rescue (SAR) Special Operations (SpecOps)
Part of	CVW-9 Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific
Garrison/HQ	NAS North Island
Nickname	"Eightballers"
Motto	'Welcome to the show!'
Colors	Green and White
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current commander	Cmdr. Murray 'Joey' Tynch

Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Eight (HS-8) "Eightballers" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. HS-8 is attached to Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) and deploys aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).

1 Leadership
2 Squadron Mission
3 Squadron History
4 Former Commanding Officers
5 Squadron Aircraft
6 Squadron Awards
7 Ships Deployed Aboard
8 Other US Navy Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadrons
9 See also
10 External links

[edit] Leadership

Commanding Officer

Cmdr. Murray 'Joey' Tynch

Executive Officer

Cmdr. Laurence Vincent

Command Master Chief

CMDCM (AW/SW) Eduardo S. Castro

[edit] Squadron Mission

Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Eight's primary mission is to employ the versatility of the SH-60F and HH-60H helicopter to support the battle group commander's objectives, with emphasis on anti-submarine warfare (ASW), combat search and rescue (CSAR), support of special operations, and anti-surface warfare (ASUW). Secondary missions include anti-ship missile defense, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and logistics support.

[edit] Squadron History

The squadron was established at NAAS Ream Field, Imperial Beach, California on June 1, 1956. The first helicopters employed by the command were the HSS-1 (H-34) Sea Bat. The squadron performed eight Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployments between 1958 and 1968 including combat tours in Vietnam. Notable achievements included the a 1,200 mile medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) made by helicopter, the longest in history. Other squadron achievements included participation in the Apollo VI space vehicle/crew recovery and performing more than 30 Combat Search and Rescue missions in North Vietnam.

An HH-60H assigned to HS-8 prepares to taxi at NAF El Centro, CA.

The squadron was decommissioned in November 1968 only to be recommissioned a year later on November 1, 1969. With the new commissioning came new helicopters, namely the SH-3D. Notable achievements during the next decade included site surveys for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, a study of blue whale migration patterns, supporting President Nixon during his working vacation aboard the USS New Orleans (LPH 11) and deploying in response to the Iranian hostage crisis. In 1976 the American Bicentennial Committee honored HS-8 as a bicentennial command. The squadrons 19th deployment came in response to Desert Shield/Desert Storm in December 1990. This deployment was the last for HS-8 in the SH-3.

On April 2, 1993 HS-8 completed transition from the SH-3H into the new SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk helicopter. The 21st WESTPAC was concluded in May of 1996 followed in September 1997 by an "Around the World Cruise" with the USS Nimitz. Deployments after this were routine until September 11, 2001.

From November 2001 to May 2002 HS-8 and Carrier Air Wing Nine deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom. There they played a vital role in the campaign that ended with the removal of the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

M240 machine gun is fired from a SH-60F Sea Hawk assigned to the "Eightballers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Eight (HS-8) during a training exercise. 2003

HS-8 made another WESTPAC deployment from January to September of 2003 followed by their second "Around the World Cruise" from January to August of 2005 aboard the USS Carl Vinson. The squadron earned the Carrier Air Wing Nine Golden Wrench Award for superior maintenance and mission completion percentages as well as the Battle E Device (Navy Battle Efficiency Award) for the 2005 World Cruise.

In early December 2005 an HS-8 helicopter and aircrew participated in filming a portion of the television show '24' where the helicopter was transporting the fictitious Russian president and his wife to the American presidents ranch. (Navy News Stand)

A change of command was held on January 13, 2006 aboard NAS North Island where the commanding officer, Cmdr. Marc Homan, was relieved by his executive officer, Cmdr. Murray 'Joey' Tynch.

Following the 2007 deployment of HS-8 the squadron will undergo a transition from the SH-60F to the MH-60S helicopter. With this transition the squadron will shift their focus from antisubmarine warfare to mine countermeasures. Also with the transition will be a changing of the squadron designation from HS-8 to HSC-8, the name "Eightballers" will be retained.

[edit] Former Commanding Officers

2002 - 2003 Cmdr. Nocenzo
2003 - 2004 Cmdr. Thom Burke
2004 - 2006 Cmdr. Marc Homan
2006 - 2007 Cmdr. Joey Tynch
2007 - 2009 Cmdr. Lawrence Vincent (projected)

[edit] Squadron Aircraft

A rescue swimmer is lifted up to an HS-8 SH-60F.

H-34 Choctaw (redesignated SH-34 in 1962)

HSS-1, 1956 - 1960
SH-3A Sea King ,1962-1969 (night dipping capability)

H-3 Sea King

SH-3D 1969 - 1993
SH-3H, 1969 - 1993

SH-60 Seahawk

SH-60F, 1993 - 2008
HH-60H, 1993 - present
MH-60S, 2008 - ???

[edit] Squadron Awards

National Bicentennial Command
- 1976
Navy Unit Commendation
- 1990
Meritorious Unit Commendation
- 1985
- 1987
- 1996
- 2003
Battle E Device (Navy Battle Efficiency Award)
- 1980
- 1983
- 1986
- 1995
- 2005
Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for Antisubmarine Warfare Excellence
- Seven Awards
Admiral Jimmy Thach Award for Best Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron in the Navy
- Four Awards
Top Torpedo Award for Antisubmarine Warfare Excellence
- 1982
- 1983
- 1984
- 1991
- 1992
Sikorsky Superior Maintenance Award
- 1983
- 1984
- 1985
- 2003
Navy Golden Anchor Award
- 1991
- 1997
Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award
- 1983
- 1985
- 1986
- 1990
- 1994
- 2002 "for 22 years and 72,000 flight hours without a Class 'A' mishap."