HC-4

Helicopter Combat Support Squadron FOUR (HC-4) was a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia. Nicknamed the "Black Stallions", they flew the CH-53E Super Stallion and MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters.^[2]

History

The Black Stallions were established on May 6, 1983. The BLACK STALLIONS of HC-4 "The Navy's Premiere Heavy Lift Combat Support Squadron"

Kaman UH-2A Seasprite of HC-4 Squadron aboard USS Guadalcanal in 1970.

On July 1, 1960 Helicopter Utility Squadron FOUR (HU-4) was established at NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey, and tasked with the logistic support of non-aviation ships of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. To describe its mission more accurately, the squadron was redesignated as Helicopter Combat Support Squadron FOUR in July 1965, and HC-4 was born. The unit was equipped with the Kaman UH-2A Seasprite light transport helicopter. Eight years later, the young squadron assumed a new mission of Helicopter Anti-submarine Warfare and was renamed HSL-30. For eleven years, HC-4 seemed to have been relegated to the dusty tomes of history.

However, in the early 1980s, the advent of the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion was to change the face of helicopter logistics support forever. With twice the lifting capacity and far greater range than any of its predecessors, the CH-53E was the most capable heavy-lift helicopter in the NATO inventory. Recognizing this unique aircraft's phenomenal potential for fleet support, the U.S. Navy commissioned its first, and only dedicated CH-53E squadron on May 6, 1983. The squadron was granted the designator HC-4, and thus were born the present-day "Black Stallions."

An MH-53E Sea Dragon stirs up the sea with the power of its rotors as it prepares to land on the deck of the command ship USS La Salle (AGF 3).

Arriving at their new home of NAS Sigonella, Italy on August 25, 1983, the "Black Stallions" quickly established themselves as the "prime movers" of air-delivered cargo in the Mediterranean, exceeding all records for fleet air logistics support in theater. In their first year alone, they delivered more than sixteen thousand passengers and six and a half million pounds of cargo and mail. While providing simultaneous and complete heavy combat support throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, HC-4 has participated in every major naval operation and exercise in theater since the squadron's establishment, continually setting the standard for operational excellence and flexibility in the world of heavy combat support. The "Plank owner" Commanding Officer was Commander Ronald Aubrey McDaniel from Brewton, Alabama. Cmdr. McDaniel was previously the commanding officer of VR-24 at NAS Sigonella, Sicily.

To ensure logistic service to SIXTH Fleet Task Forces, U.S. Naval Forces in Europe, and other U.S. Navy ships operating independently, HC-4 routinely deploys one or two aircraft to strategic locations throughout its vast area of responsibility. Aug 12, 1990 two CH-53E aircraft were deployed to Jedda SA, the first American combat support force to arrive in SA. In 1992, this area of responsibility was expanded by the establishment of a permanent two-aircraft detachment in the Persian Gulf. Working out of Bahrain International Airport, Detachment ONE provided over 80% of all airlifted cargo in the Persian Gulf and surrounding area.

A new era of achievement for HC-4 was commenced in February 1995, as the "Black Stallions" began their transition to the MH-53E Sea Dragon. HC-4 phased out the CH-53E's and replaced them with nine MH-53E's while maintaining the high operational tempo that hallmarks the squadron's history. This challenging transition was completed in February 1996 with the departure of the Navy's last two CH-53E's from NAS Sigonella. The Sea Dragon's range of up to 650 nautical miles (without refueling) and top speed of 150 knots (280 km/h) brings the entire Mediterranean and Persian Gulf regions within easy reach.

Although logistics has always been the mainstay of HC-4 operations, it is by no means the limit of this capable and diverse squadron. In August 1996, HC-4 transported the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, along with 23 other high-ranking members of the Israeli government. Since the squadron was established, the "Black Stallions" have been called upon to support U.S. Presidential visits to Europe and the Middle East. HC-4 supported President Clinton's visits to northern Ireland, Paris, Italy, Macedonia and an historic December 1998 visit to Israel and Palestine. Presidential support continued under President Bush in 2003, as HC-4 supported visits to Switzerland and the United Kingdom. When the United Nations' peacekeeping mission to Somalia collapsed endangering the lives of hundreds of allied soldiers, HC-4 was called upon to evacuate U.N. forces. While the world watched the civil war in Sierra Leone erupt into violence, HC-4 again responded, deploying two aircraft to help evacuate Americans from that country.

World events in 2004 kept the Black Stallion on the move. Vice President Cheney was personally transported by the Black Stallions while later that year the squadron supported President Bush's attendance at a NATO Summit in Turkey. HC-4 also provided transport for the U.S. Ambassador to NATO and Secretary of Defense personnel at a second NATO conference in Romania.

HC-4 has always served a vital role in the Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, most recently while operating a detachment out of Fujairah, U.A.E. However, the depth and scope of that role is to expand greatly in the upcoming year. Currently, all Black Stallion pilots and aircrew are training to become the first night-vision device (NVD) qualified squadron in the MH-53. After training, the squadron will deploy in direct support of the War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom, once again leading the way in Navy helicopter aviation.

Since their commissioning, the "Black Stallions" of HC-4 have received numerous personal and unit awards. They include two European Region National Defense Transportation Association awards, three Golden Anchor and one Silver Anchor awards for retention, five Navy Unit commendations, three Meritorious Unit Commendations, three Navy Battle "E" Efficiency awards, a Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award.

Over the last 20 years it has been the men and women of HC-4 who safely fly, maintain, and support the Navy's most labor-intensive helicopter. They are responsible for the squadron's success. The squadron, which now numbers over 35 officers and 240 enlisted men and women, continues to excel every year. HC-4 has only begun to prove its abilities and the men and women of the "Black Stallions" look forward to ever-increasing challenges.

HC-4 was previously home-based at Naval Air Station Sigonella, located in Sicily, Italy. The squadron completed a homeport change to Naval Station Norfolk in 2005-06.^[3]

The squadron was disestablished on 28 September 2007. "Black Stallions By Trade, Professional By Definition!"

See also

• List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• Naval aviation
• List of military aircraft of the United States (naval)
• List of US Naval aircraft
• Military aviation

References

1. ↑ Black Stallions Disestablish After 24 Years
2. ↑ Official Website of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Four - Squadron History<
3. ↑ HC-4 Departs Sigonella, Joins Navy’s Transformation

External links

• Official Website of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Four
• Official Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center - HC-4 Squadron History
• HCM-4 Brief History Narrative (not an official site, with bulk of text obviously condensed from other sites)