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US Navy - Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 (HELSEACOMBATRON 3)HSC-3 'Merlins' |
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 MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - San Clemente Island, California - January 2017  An MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3), Southern California Offshore Range (SCORE) detachment, prepares to carry a training target offshore during range operations at San Clemente Island, Calif. HSC-3 SCORE detachment provides critical support for tactical range training and testing operations of U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet assets - January 2017  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) at NAS North Island, California - December 2015 MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) aboard USS Green Bay (LPD 20) - July 2014  MH-60S Seahawks (HSC-3) at Camp Pendleton, California assisting the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection - May 2014  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) lift off from Camp Pendleton, California, to assist the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection - May 2014  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) lift off from Camp Pendleton, California, to assist the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection - May 2014  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) at NAS North Island, California - January 2014  June 2013  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - undated  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - undated  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - caliber .50 machine gun fire exercise  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - June 2013  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - June 2013  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - May 2013  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - May 2013  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) at NAS Point Mugu, California - May 2013  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) at Point Mugu, California - May 2013  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - May 2013  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - wildfire fight - Eastern San Diego County - August 2012  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) at NAS North Island, Coronado, California - July 2007  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - San Diego, California - April 2007  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - January 2007  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - January 2006  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - September 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) near San Diego, California - August 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) near San Diego, California - August 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - June 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - June 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - June 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - May 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - May 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - May 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - May 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - April 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - April 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) - April 2005  MH-60S Seahawk (HSC-3) firing an AGM-114 Hellfire missile - undated |
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History: The "Merlins" were originally established as HC-3 on 1 September 1967. They were the Navy's sole vertical replenishment (VERTREP) squadron and operated the CH-46 Sea Knight from supply vessels operated by the Combat Logistics Force (CLF) to carry across supplies from the deck of the supply ship to fleet ships being re-supplied. This greatly increased the speed of underway replenishment operations, particularly when supporting the fleet's aircraft carriers at sea which in turn improved the ability of battle groups to arrive on station sooner and stay there longer. The squadron was soon moved to Naval Air Station North Island in July 1973. A significant change in the unit's mission came about in 1982 when the squadron became the Navy's single-site Fleet Replenishment Squadron for shipboard landings, VERTREP, SAR, Night Vision Devices (NVDs), tactics and emergency procedures. They would be responsible for training all CH-46 pilots and aircrew on these topics, a role they would continue with until the present day. The next major change for the squadron came in 2002 as the final CH-46 'Phrog' pilots completed training with the squadron and courses on the Navy's brand-new MH-60S ramped up. The first MH-60S student graduated on 26 April 2002 while that September saw the final H-46 crew member complete training. With the new aircraft came a range of new missions and tactics that were covered by the unit and to recognize this, the Navy authorized a new squadron designation for MH-60S units. The "Merlins" were re-designated HSC-3 on 1 April 2005. HSC-3 administers a number of programs in addition to providing trained pilots and aircrew to the Fleet. As the Model Manager for the Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) for the MH-60S, HSC-3 evaluates the NATOPS program of each HSC squadron annually. HSC-3 instructors also train all Pacific Fleet Helicopter Control Officers (HCOs) and Landing Signalman Enlisted (LSEs). Additionally, as the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) SAR Model Manager, HSC-3 establishes the training and equipment requirements for all naval SAR operations. The unit has 4 out of the Navy's 17 Master Chief Naval Aircrewman (AWCM) where historically there has only been one assigned for the last 30 years. As a result of the command's concern for all aspects of flight and ground safety, HC-3 celebrated their 250,000th Class A mishap-free flight hour on 14 June 2013 after not suffering an accident since July 1974. This record makes HSC-3 the safest operational helicopter squadron in the Navy and has enabled the squadron to win eight Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Awards. This achievement, plus an excellent operational record, brought a fifth consecutive Battle Efficiency Award to HC-3 in 1983. This was the seventh Battle "E" Award presented by Commander Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet to the squadron since its establishment. |
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