Helo mission & squadron questions

[airgreg]

I've read a lot of the great info that Mari has provided regarding helo missions and squadrons. Refer to this post:
http://209.120.145.174/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=990

A couple more helo questions:

1) What do the squadron abbreviations (HSL, HS, HC, HM) stand for?
2) Recognizing the fact that helos are multi-role aircraft, could someone break down the overall approximate mission percentages...

It might be easier to answer this from an "entire Navy" perspective. For example, X percent of Navy helo missions are mail drops. Y percent of Navy helo missions are search-and-rescue. Z percent of Navy helo missions are plane guard. Etc... I realize this will vary a lot across squadrons, but I'm just looking for the roles that helos "typically" play in general.

Thanks,
-Greg

 

[candiman]

HM is misweeping
Hc is heavy lift
HSL and HS are carrier vs small ship--i always get them confused on which is which-- ya thick i would have figured it out by now since i am in advanced helo training
as far as the missions go there is no exact percentage of mission. If you fly the a version of the 60, you will do eveything from SAR to specops to vertrep. it all depends what the mission/ "need" is. PLus you might start out on one typre of mission and be diverted to another depending on what was going on

mike

 

[airgreg]

Thanks Mike. Good luck to you in getting your wings.

One more question: what role do Navy helos play in Close Air Support? Or is CAS mostly left to the fixed wing guys and Marine attack helos?

Appreciate your help!

 

[kaiangel]

HSL is for smaller ships, and HS is carriers.