Helicopter Squadron Detachment First of its Kind

Photo By Seaman Joshua Cassatt | Sailors from Helicopter Squadron Combatant (HSC) 23 attach a hook to the bottom of an SH-60 Seahawk during a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). USNS Bridge conducted underway replenishments and VERTREPs with nine U.S. Navy ships June 1-3.  

06.25.2007

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

By Seaman Joshua Cassatt

ABOARD USNS BRIDGE - Helicopter Squadron Combatant (HSC) 23, Detachment (Det.) 2 "Wildcards," embarked aboard USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10), is currently providing logistic support, underway replenishment, passenger, mail and cargo transfers, and search and rescue support for ships conducting maritime operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO).

Formed in October 2006, HSC-23 is comprised of four detachments of members who were formerly part of HSC-21 and other squadrons.

"Our squadron stood up in October, and in less than 90 days, we went out to sea," said Lt. Cmdr. Don "Droopy" Gaines, officer-in-charge for Det. 2. "Every single person in my detachment basically turned to and made it happen. There is not one person in this detachment that I would trade out."

The "Wildcards" came aboard Bridge Jan. 19 and steamed straight to the 5th Fleet, arriving in theater in February.

For Det. 2, gaining the know-how as the first sea-deployed detachment from HSC-23 is seen as a bonus for the squadron as a whole. What is now a learning experience for Det. 2 will become a training opportunity for the other three detachments.

"The impact on the squadron is good because we're out here gaining all the experience," said Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Robert Atler, Det. 2 leading chief petty officer. "When we get back home, we'll be able to pass all that knowledge on to the other detachments in the future."

Det. 2's mission is to fulfill the critical function of logistics support, and now that they are deployed at sea, that mission has shifted to getting the job done aboard Bridge.

"Everyday is a new challenge," said Gaines. "The biggest challenge we've had is paving the way for our squadron. Every day something new comes up that wasn't expected, and I'm absolutely amazed with the people that I've got."

The knowledge Det. 2 is gaining has paid out great dividends in logistics support for ships in the 5th Fleet, as Bridge is viewed by members of its embarked helicopter squadron as the gold standard for supply because of the work of Det. 2.

"We're smooth," said Aircrew Survival Equipment Safetyman 3rd Class Carl Phelps. "Every ship out here wants our logistics support. They request our ship and our command because they know we can provide the smoothest transactions in supply."

In addition to being the first detachment from HSC-23 to be deployed at sea, Det. 2 is also the first to be embarked aboard a civilian-run ship. Bridge, a supply-class fast combat support ship, is part of Military Sealift Command and its crew consists entirely of civilian merchant mariners.

"I find it pretty exciting," said Gaines. "There are a lot of things here that I think the Navy could learn from. The people on board here are unbelievably professional, and I'm truly impressed with everyone on board."

Atler enjoys working with Bridge's civilian crew.

"We do interact very well with the civilians," said Atler. "We've received a lot of really good support from them."

HSC-23 is headquartered in North Island, Calif. Det. 1 recently returned from a deployment in Kuwait as an air ambulance. Det. 3 is currently embarked aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and Det. 4 is scheduled to replace Det. 2 as the embarked helicopter squadron aboard Bridge on its next deployment.

Det. 2 comprises more than two-dozen personnel who operate and maintain two MH-60 Sierra helicopters, modified hybrids of the Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters, to carry out the supply mission of Bridge.

Bridge is currently deployed to the 5th Fleet AOO in support of maritime operations. Maritime operations help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts in regional nations' littoral waters. Coalition forces also conduct maritime operations under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region.

• Date Taken: 06.25.2007
• Date Posted: 06.25.2007 13:44
• Story ID: 10967