HS-8
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| Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Eight | |
|---|---|
 HS-8 Squadron Emblem |
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| Active | June 1, 1956 to September 28, 2007 |
| 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 |
| Engagements | Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Cmdr. Lawrence Vincent |
Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Eight (HS-8) "Eightballers" was a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. HS-8 was attached to Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) and deployed aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).
Contents |
[edit] Leadership
Cmdr. Lawrence Vincent
Cmdr. Mike "Babe" Ruth
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 1957 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.
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 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.
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 was disestablished at NAS North Island after 51 years of service. The squadron was redesignated Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight on September 28, 2007 and received the first MH-60S with the armed helo kit.Navy News Stand
[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
[edit] Squadron Aircraft
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 - 2007
- HH-60H, 1993 - 2007
- MH-60S, 2007 - 2007
[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
- Eight Awards
- 2006
- Admiral Jimmy Thach Award for Best Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron in the Navy
- Five Awards
- 2006
- 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."
[edit] Ships Deployed Aboard
- USS Princeton (CVS-37) 1958-1968
- USS Hornet (CVS-12) 1958-1968
- USS Bennington (CVS-20) 1960-1974
- USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14)
- USS New Orleans (LPH-11) 1970
- USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
- USS Constellation (CV-64) 1985-1990
- USS Independence (CV-62) 1990-1995
- USS Nimitz (CVN-68) 1995-2000
- USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) 2003-2005
- USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) 2000-2003, 2006-present
[edit] Other US Navy Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadrons
- HS-2 Golden Falcons
- HS-3 Tridents
- HS-4 Black Knights
- HS-5 Nightdippers
- HS-6 Indians
- HS-7 Dusty Dogs
- HS-10 Warhawks
- HS-11 Dragonslayers
- HS-14 Chargers
- HS-15 Red Lions
- HS-75 (US Navy Reserve Squadron)
