| Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight | |
|---|---|
HSC-8 Emblem |
|
| Active | June 1, 1956 - present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Navy Helicopter Squadron |
| Role | Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) Combat Search & Rescue (CSAR) Search & Rescue (SAR) Special Operations (SpecOps) Vertical replenishment (VERTREP) |
| 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 Black |
| Engagements | Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Global War on Terror |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
CDR Monroe Howell |
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight (HSC-8) "Eightballers" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. HSC-8 is attached to Carrier Air Wing Nine[1] (CVW-9) and deploys aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). HSC-8 was redesignated from HS-8 on 28 September 2007.
Contents |
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight's primary mission is to employ the versatility of the MH-60S helicopter to support the battle group commander's objectives, with emphasis on anti-surface warfare (ASUW), combat search and rescue (CSAR), support of special operations, and vertical replenishment (VERTREP). Secondary missions include anti-ship missile defense and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).
The original HS-8 was established at Naval Auxiliary Air Station 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. Although the Navy does not officially recognize lineage between the two squadrons,[2] the newly established squadron resumed the insignia and traditions of the former squadron. 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 squadron's 20th WESTPAC deployment was from February to August 1994. HS-8 was a member of Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). The 21st WESTPAC was concluded in May 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 2003 followed by their second "Around the World Cruise" from January to August 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.[3]
On September 28, 2007 at Naval Air Station North Island, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Eight was redesignated as Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight and received its first MH-60S with the armed helo kit. In January 2009, HSC-8 went on its first deployment with the MH-60S where it was joined by HSM-71 aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). During this deployment, HSC-8 assisted in the filming of Transformers 2.[4]
H-34 Choctaw (redesignated SH-34 in 1962)
SH-60 Seahawk
| Book: United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons | |
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