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HH-60H Seahawk - Long Beach, California -
July 2011
HH-60H Seahawk - Long Beach, California -
July 2011
HH-60H Seahawk - Long Beach, California -
July 2011
San Diego, California - October 2007
San Diego, California - October 2007
San Diego, California - October 2007
San Diego, California - October 2007
San Diego, California - October 2007
San Diego, California - October 2007
San Diego, California - October 2007
Coronado, California - January 2007
Coronado, California - January 2007
RIMPAC 2006 - Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - July
2006
RIMPAC 2006 - Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - July
2006
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from Navy News
Sercice - July 14, 2011
SAN DIEGO (NNS) --
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 officially transitioned from being a
logistical support squadron to its new mission of supporting Navy Special
Warfare (NSW) operations during a ceremony aboard Naval Air Station North
Island, July 8.
Prior to the ceremony, Norfolk-based HSC-84 was the Navy's only helicopter
squadron directly supporting NSW operations.
"(HSC-84) has been doing it non-stop," said Senior Chief Aviation
Structural Mechanic Jeff Lapinski. "Now, once we get ramped up, we'll
have one (squadron) on the East Coast, one on the West Coast and we'll be
able to provide (HSC-84) with a breath of relief."
The transition required HSC-85 to gradually change over from the newer MH-60S
helicopter to the older, but more combat-oriented HH-60H.
"Our primary job now is to work with the SEALs and the (HH-60H) provides
us more of a tactical aspect," said Lapinski. "It allows us to take
them where they need to go and provide aerial gun support."
During the ceremony, Cmdr. Jay Gagne, HSC-85 commanding officer, and Capt.
Shoshanna Chatfield, deputy commodore of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific,
unveiled a new insignia for the squadron.
Gagne said the new logo pays homage to past squadrons, but also represents a
change in mission.
HSC-85, previously known as the High Rollers, changed their squadron name to
the Firehawks.
"This new and improved Firehawk represents a squadron dedicated to the
mission of special operations forces that will be bigger, better and more
lethal than before," Gagne said. "The Firehawks will epitomize
precision and the warrior ethos dedicated to defending the United States of
America and freedom around the world."
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from Navy News
Service - October 27, 2007
CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the "High Rollers" of
Helicopter Sea Combat Support (HSC) 85 continue putting their firefighting
skills to use, working hand-in-hand with the California Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) for the fourth consecutive day to
combat the Southern California wildfires.
"Naval aviation is providing aircraft, and we will continue to do so
because we are a part of this community, and we'll do everything we can, in
every way we can, to help out when the community is in trouble," said
Rear Adm. Patrick E. McGrath, vice commander, Naval Air Forces.
On the morning of Oct. 22, the squadron received the official request for
help from Cal Fire and two HSC-85 firefighting crews were among the first
three aircraft in the air that afternoon.
"The Navy is part of the San Diego community, and when an event like
this happens, we need to plan well in advance and work closely with the
firefighting people in the community," said McGrath. "That's why we
were able to put water on the fires much sooner and much more safely than we
were before."
Since the California Cedar Fires of 2003, HSC-85 has frequently trained with
Cal Fire to prepare for fire disasters, like the present San Diego blaze.
"We learned that we need to be in a partnership and directly working
with Cal Fire," said McGrath. "Having the Cal Fire representatives
on our aircraft allows us to safely get in and out of the areas and safely
drop water where it needs to be. This is a great partnership, and I think
that it will be strengthened by this event and continue to grow."
Following the Cedar Fires, the Navy and Cal Fire met to discuss lessons they
learned from the previous fire disaster.
HSC-85, based at Naval Air Station North Island, routinely performed
firefighting missions at San Clemente Island Range Complex and is the only
military squadron in the area with specialized firefighting equipment and a
skilled crew trained for aerial firefighting.
"We're experienced aviators, and we're able to adapt quickly, but it
helps to have their expertise," said Lt. Cmdr. Brian Wilderman, HSC-85
operations officer who flew some of the recent firefighting missions.
The squadron's crew was familiar with how to use the bucket and how to
extinguish fires, but the collaboration with Cal Fire has been beneficial for
exercising tactics on a larger scale.
"It's a great relationship, a great training program," said Cmdr.
James Cluxton, commanding officer of HSC-85. "I think it's mutually
beneficial for both sides, so that's why I think it works really well."
The Navy and Cal Fire worked together for several years to create a joint
instruction with specific flow charts detailing how the two units would
collaborate in case of another fire disaster.
"Without the agreement, we couldn't be accurately fighting the
fires," said Jim Barthol, San Diego Cal Fire air manager. "They're
already pre-trained, and they know the procedures and the processes. We
worked not as the Navy and the fire department, but as one firefighting
entity."
The training program was established with Cal Fire to provide the squadron
with a ground school.
"We started training with Cal Fire in 2004, and we have kept building on
that training every year," said Wilderman.
A Cal Fire representative meets with the squadron at least once a year to
discuss air space management, general fire techniques, different terms used
during firefighting and procedures for getting in and out of the fire scene.
"It's important for us to work together, because it's an extremely
dangerous and complex situation out there," said Cluxton. "Cal Fire
are the experts in firefighting, and we're here to help them if they need
it."
Effective communication between HSC-85 and Cal Fire is a key element for
combating a fire disaster.
"We got a call from Cal Fire on Sunday afternoon asking what kind of assets
we had," said Cluxton. "That's when we started preparing and
putting crews together."
The 2006 Horse Fire marked the first time a San Diego-based unit actively
supported Cal Fire. In 2007, HSC-85 continues to support Cal Fire using its
assets to help fight the most recent Witch Creek and Harris Ranch fires in
San Diego County.
"From our perspective, our agreement and relationship with Cal Fire has
been fantastic," said Cluxton. "We will continue to support them
for as long as they need us. If we can help them, it helps the community, and
that's what we're here for."
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from Navy News
Service - October 23, 2007
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Aircrew Sailors assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron
(HSC) 85 aided the San Diego California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection (CalFire) and the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services
(OES) in fighting wildfires throughout the San Diego area.
"We got the call this morning that they wanted to use our aircraft for
firefighting, so we manned up," said Cmdr. Lewis Gray, a Navy reserve
pilot who flew in the firefighting mission.
Two MH-60S helicopters, each carrying 420 gallons of water and a four-member
aircrew team, were launched to help with firefighting efforts Monday
afternoon.
"We saw some big fire fronts coming through and we worked on them for
three or four hours, we also tried to stop some fires that were heading
toward houses," said Gray.
Despite the squadron's personnel and families being directly affected by the
fires and mandatory evacuations, HSC-85's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. James
Cluxton, said they will continue to work with Cal Fire and support
firefighting efforts in San Diego as long as they are needed.
"As we flew around we saw the mountains just taken over by fire, several
houses engulfed and some houses were just gone, trees and everything
destroyed," said Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class David
Estrada, an HSC-85 aircrewman.
Upon returning to the squadron after flying rescue missions Oct. 22, the
CalFire representative, Joe Barthol, assigned to fly with HSC-85 said that
despite the persistent fires their efforts were effective in battling the
flames.
The Navy coordinated with the CDF following the California Cedar Fires of
2003, detailing operating procedures and the type of support the Navy could
provide in fire emergencies. This is the second rescue mission that the San
Diego-based unit has actively supported the San Diego community.
"I just hope we did enough and made a difference, it's horrible to see
what has happened to everybody in the fire-affected areas," said
Estrada.
HSC-85, stationed at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) is the only Navy
squadron in the area trained in the firefighting mission. However, other
squadrons based at NASNI are continuing to support with other helicopter
assets for evacuation, search and rescue, and logistical support.
"It's rewarding that we can go out, do some good and save some houses.
Any little thing we can do to help makes you feel good at the end of the
day," said Gray.
Approximately 165,000 active-duty Sailors, Department of Defense personnel
and family members live in the San Diego County area.
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from Navy News
Service - March 26, 2007
CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Command of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85
(HSC-85) shifted from Helicopter Reserve Wing (HELWINGRES) to Helicopter Sea
Combat Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CHSCWP) on March 25 at Naval Air Station
North Island, opening a new chapter in the history of the "High
Rollers."
The transfer marked a further step in the active/Reserve integration of the
squadron, moving it from an operational support role to direct fulfillment of
the Navy's mission.
"It's a better utilization of all the assets," said HSC-85 Commanding
Officer Cmdr. James Cluxton. "It gives the active commodore the
opportunity to directly task us and it augments the force strength."
Capt. James Iannone, commodore of Helicopter Wing Reserve, said combining
Reserve and active components continues to serve as a force multiplier in the
global war on terrorism.
"When you blend the active component and the Reserve component, you get
the best of both worlds," he said. "You get the youth and vitality
of the active component along with the experience and dedication of the
Reserve component. Together, you complete the mission requirements of the
United States Navy."
Command Master Chief (AW/NAC) Michael Curry said the commitment of Reservists
assigned to the squadron is demonstrated by an operational schedule that
keeps the squadron flying wherever and whenever it is needed.
"When you talk about 53 percent of the squadron are selected Reservists,
yes they come to the fight, and they do more than their two days a
month," he said.
Formerly a helicopter combat support squadron, the High Rollers were
redesignated a helicopter sea combat squadron in February 2006. In September,
the squadron began its transition to the MH-60 Seahawk from the H-3 Sea King.
The transition is scheduled for completion by summer, when the squadron
receives its last Seahawk.
"Now we take the next step and fold the Reserve component into the
operational type wing," said Capt. Jamie Hopkins, commodore of CHSCWP.
"We are currently planning to use a squadron detachment in support of the
upcoming air ambulance mission, and quite frankly, we would have a difficult
time meeting that mission if it were not for the support of the Reserve
component."
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