First MH-60R squadron is established!

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

HSM-71, the first MH-60R squadron has been established at NAS North Island on 4 Oct, 2007

CDR Nortier, Commanding Officer of HSM-71 speaks at establishment ceremont for Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seventy-One at NAS North Island

Alongside what everyone else has said, i'm almost certain the man on the left is CAPT Criger. He's the OIC of the H-60R/S Fleet Introduction Team. Got to talk to him this past summer.

 

[kejo]

Are you saying the buoy launcher is outdated because ASW is no longer a primary mission?

The push now for us seems to be let's get back on the ASW wagon because it's going to be uber important again.

And I dunno if the bouy launcher was totally necessary on the 60R given the dome, but they did seem to juice it up a little compared to the 60B...waterfall display available to the SO, CFS (we'll see that in the bravo soon i guess), and a whole lot more processing capability.

 

[1rotorhead]

I think launcher could have been a better design that would have saved weight. On a different note, I've flown the S quite a bit and the biggest disappointment has been the cockpit computer with the key pad. it just doesn't word well with the S. there is a lot of "head bob" while using menus.

 

[squorch2]

I think launcher could have been a better design that would have saved weight. On a different note, I've flown the S quite a bit and the biggest disappointment has been the cockpit computer with the key pad. it just doesn't word well with the S. there is a lot of "head bob" while using menus.

Everything you see in the cockpit of the S is there because it has a function in the R. We just get what functionality is left over when you take out the ASW/ASuW sensors minus FLIR. See my post on PFPS->AOP translation (or lack thereof) for a good discussion.

 

[Bevo16]

The word "Strike" has always been such a hot word when used with a helo. Funny really.

HSC-8 is "Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight" So rest easy, strike is not part of our name.

In the HS world, there are two mission areas to qualify in. "Sea Combat" was all the overwater stuff. ASW mostly, and some overwater hellfire stuff. "Strike" was all the overland missions. CSAR, NSW Support, Overland Strike, Combat ISR, etc. Since HS squadrons flew two versions of the 60, it seems pretty fitting that we had a seperate training syllabus for each.

The Block 3 Sierra is a strike platform. Fully loaded it can carry 8 hellfire and 4 crew served machine guns (mix of .50 cal, 7.62 mini-gun, and M-240). That is more firepower than a multi-role package Apache. Get used to the idea of Navy Helicopter gunships. We are going to bring a lot to the fight.

HSC-8 and HSM-71 both belong to CAG-9, and deploy on the Stennis. HSM-71 will move into the old VS wardroom (yes, right under the 3 wire). Having the entire squadron at sea will be a little different for the former Bravo guys, but I think that they will find it useful to have their CO around when they have issues. I also think that they will like actually working in an environment that revolves around aviation instead of black shoes and mo-boards. Both helo squadrons will have detachments from the carrier. HSM aircraft will go over to the tin cans just like they have been, and HSC aircraft will go in support of the supply ships like former HC squadrons. HSC squadrons can also det to the beach if Air Ambulance, ISR, or NSW support is needed.

Any questions, I'll be here all week.

 

[1rotorhead]

Not arguing where it came from. just saying i don't like it. it's a step back from the HH in functionality.

 

[robav8r]

I would imagine the success or failure of the Romeo squadrons on the carrier will revolve around how fast they can get their blades folded (both before and after cyclic flight ops) and how quickly they adapt to the HS style of doing functional check flights.

 

[insanebikerboy]

The Block 3 Sierra is a strike platform. Fully loaded it can carry 8 hellfire and 4 crew served machine guns (mix of .50 cal, 7.62 mini-gun, and M-240). That is more firepower than a multi-role package Apache. Get used to the idea of Navy Helicopter gunships. We are going to bring a lot to the fight.

Except for the defunct HA-L squadrons and the current HCS squadrons, it seems as if Navy helos have a bunch of cool overland toys that they never really get to play with. Granted, this is based purely on what I have gleaned through conversation with instructors here in HT-land. It's possible I may be talking out of my ass, but I've heard that from more than just a few guys, so I assume there's probably some merit to it.

If the helo master plan really does get the -60 on shore and shooting/employing all of the Block 3 systems, that'd be pretty sweet.

 

[lowflier03]

Sadly that will probably never happen. When was the last time the Navy really went overland to do a CSAR mission? Long time. When was the last time we employed weapons overland? The air ambulance thing is pretty tame compared with what the army and air force helos do. I think we got extremely hamstringed in that department with the range.

As for the buoy launcher, I know ASW isnt going away. We are the last HS squadron doing ASW, so I can testify to what happens when a contact shows up. What I was referring to was the 1970's technology that adds alot of weight and 0 functionality when compared with other systems. Ever try changing buoy channels in flight with one of those? How about the fact that buoy capacity is cut in half with an extended pylon installed. (Such as would be required with weapons/aux tanks.)

 

[Gatordev]

HSM-71 will move into the old VS wardroom (yes, right under the 3 wire). Having the entire squadron at sea will be a little different for the former Bravo guys, but I think that they will find it useful to have their CO around when they have issues. I also think that they will like actually working in an environment that revolves around aviation instead of black shoes and mo-boards.

Technically, the whole squadron won't be there, since they'll be det'ed out. I personally prefer the det lifestyle rather than having a CO looking over everyone's shoulder. As for revolving around aviaiton... The irony is that much of the day to day ops on a the frigate I was on for two deployments revolved around us since, unless something was 2 miles away, we were the only real weapon system onboard, and even at 2 miles, it's not like the ship could hit anything.

But I understand your point.

@Bert:

Do you know if they upgraded the ASE package of the Romeo to a HH level? If not, I really find a hard time understanding the reasoning behind loading the Romeo down w/ so much crap that it would barely use in a non-training environment.

 

[Bevo16]

Not arguing where it came from. just saying i don't like it. it's a step back from the HH in functionality.

Are you talking about the Sierra Block 3?

It is a step up from the HH in ever respect except for total fuel on board. Less weight, more guns, doors on both sides, better ASE gear, better FLIR w/180 degree FOV, the list goes on.

I think that you would be hard pressed to identify one area where the HH is superior to the SIII.

Break break.

The Navy is getting to use their overland toys quite a bit. We have not had a pilot check out of my squadron in the past 2 years that did not have an air medal. Same deal for the guys across the hall.

Our primary mission is always going to be overwater, we are the Navy afterall. There are a lot of fun missions to be flown and green ink to be logged.

 

[HeloBubba]

Get used to the idea of Navy Helicopter gunships.

It bums me out that this mentality formed well after I got out of the Navy. Shooting guns from a helo was one of the reasons I joined the Army Reserve (along with getting to fly again).

How does an aircraft being configured as a gunship affect the SAR mission? Is it precluded because of Max GW? Does that mean one of the aircraft on the CV have to remain 'deconfigured" for the SAR or Star-D role?

 

[Gatordev]

How does an aircraft being configured as a gunship affect the SAR mission? Is it precluded because of Max GW? Does that mean one of the aircraft on the CV have to remain 'deconfigured" for the SAR or Star-D role?

It depends on the airframe. For the single-doored, no front windowed airframes (-60B/F), the problem is cabin space. With a GAU or even M-60 in the door, there's not much room to bring people in and out of the cabin, be it on hoist or just climbing in. The GAU is really a pain because the mount as well as the gun is so big.

 

[lowflier03]

You dont really leave a helo "deconfigured." It takes about 10 minutes to take a 60F/H that is flying plane guard, or even ASW and throw in the gun arm and m240 or GAU. The ASE gear takes a little longer just because you have to shut down to install flares and such. But you never leave a helo sitting around loaded up like that anyhow.

 

[hscs]

Our primary mission is always going to be overwater, we are the Navy afterall. There are a lot of fun missions to be flown and green ink to be logged.

Calm down there, Skippy. Lay off the Merlin cool-aid. Rotorhead is correct -- if I tried to take the block 3 out to the desert, I would have it sent home. The software needs a lot of development to make it functional for overland missions. Talk to some of the CSI's at NASNI -- they hate the software in the 60S, and they hate the keyset. (and that was before the block 3).

Secondly, before everyone gets all hot on the 60S -- ECP 4008 has to be proven to be an effective fix for the 308 beam crack. All the cool toys in the world won't make a cracked airframe more effective in combat.

Finally, combat ain't fun.

@ lowflier: You need to open your eyes a bit and get out of the HS CSAR only mentality. CSAR isn't going win the long war -- SOF support will. A guy that is properly trained in SOF support can switch easily over to CSAR. A CSAR guy can't switch to SOF support without training.