Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron

[NeoCortex]

Anyone know anything about HCS squadrons? Are they only reserve? Do they have active counterparts?

 

[HH-60H]

They are primarly Reserve squadrons, but they have a FRS component. The closest active duty squadron to them is HS platform/ACTC wise.

 

[H60Gunr]

HCS is great ....

 

[Pags]

To get into the HCSs, do you have to apply or something after so much time in the fleet? Is HS time pretty much considered their pipeline, or do they draw from all over the fleet?

 

[H60Gunr]

Only know from the aircrew side of the house. We take people from lots of backgrounds-mainly SAR swimmers. Majority of Pilots at HCS at 04s-some 03s from HS or HSL. Tons of time in the fleet.

 

[BigIron]

Do you have to have NVD experience to get picked up with them? Is the Navy even keeping TAR/FTS helo squadrons around?

 

[H60Gunr]

Best to talk with the career counselor at the squadron or ops chief about that. I don't want to speculate and give bad gouge. I hear rumours about the HCS community but were still doing the mission.

 

[Cyclic]

HCS are reserve squadrons and you have to have a minimum of 1000 hrs, even though they are reserve they have a specialized mission, NSW/SPECOPS. They usually operate separate from the Strike Groups. They will eventually transition to MH-60S and be redesignated to HSC.
And yes, you have to be goggle qualed, although they do waive some of their requirements.

 

[Bevo16]

I doubt that you are going to get picked up for an HCS squadron with no goggle hours. Most of their operational flying is going to be at night.

 

[HH-60H]

We all had zero goggle hours at some point.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Speaking of, I've heard that they've started doing goggle flights in Advanced. Is this true?

 

[tali264]

The instructors are still getting trained to teach it.....don't know when students will get to go.

 

[HH-60H]

The instructors are still getting trained to teach it.....don't know when students will get to go.

Man that just sounds scary.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Man that just sounds scary.

You think? I'm an NSI, and I get nervous with designated Naval Aviators that are qualified H2Ps in the Phrog... I wouldn't want to be an instructor with some guy who may not get winged...

 

[Pags]

Speaking of, I've heard that they've started doing goggle flights in Advanced. Is this true?

If they haven't started training, they will soon. There are some 57Cs with blacked out cockpits sitting around.