The US Navy has its own helicopter squadron dedicated to supporting special-operation

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The US Navy has its own helicopter squadron dedicated to supporting special-operations missions
By: Miquel Ortis - We Are The Mighty & Insider News - 05-11-21
Re: https://www.businessinsider.com/the-...support-2021-5

Photo link: https://i.insider.com/6099e9d6ba78eb...jpeg&auto=webp
Crews assigned to the Firehawks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 (HSC-85) conduct desert landing training in an HH-60H helicopter near El Centro, California, August 10, 2016. US Navy/MCS2 Chad M. Butler

* The Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment is widely known for supporting special-ops missions.

* But the Navy also has its own dedicated squadron for special operations — Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85.

The Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment is the primary aviation unit that flies in support of special operations.

When Rangers, Delta Force and Navy SEALs hunted Mohamed Farah Aidid in Somalia, the 160th supported them from the air. When the Navy SEALs took down Osama bin Laden, the Nightstalkers flew them in and out. When the British SAS and Navy SEALs rescued aid workers taken hostage by Afghan bandits during Operation Jubilee, well, you can guess who flew them.

However, despite SEALs being flown by the 160th in the aforementioned operations, the Navy does have its own dedicated squadron for special operations.

2nd photo link: https://i.insider.com/6099e9cbba78eb...jpeg&auto=webp
A pilot with HSC-85 starts the engines on a HH60-H helicopter at Naval Air Station North Island, October 14, 2017. US Navy/MCS1 Chad M. Butler

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron EIGHT FIVE (HSC-85) is a US Navy Reserve squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California.

The squadron traces its lineage back to the legendary FLEET ANGELS of Helicopter Utility Squadron ONE (HU-1), established on April 1, 1948. As the Navy's first operational helicopter squadron, HU-1 paved the way for all future naval rotary wing missions.

In 1966, HU-1 was redesignated as Helicopter Combat Squadron ONE (HC-1). When the squadron deployed the Vietnam, the demand for rotary-wing assets grew the squadron until it broke up into four new squadrons.

3rd photo link: https://i.insider.com/6099e9cc342837...jpeg&auto=webp
A sailor assigned to HSC-85 mounts an M-240 machine gun in an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter at Naval Air Station North Island, Aug. 27, 2020. US Navy/MCS1 Chelsea Milburn

One of these squadrons was the SEA DEVILS of Helicopter Combat Squadron SEVEN (HC-7), assigned the mission of combat search and rescue. Another was the SEAWOLVES of Helicopter Attack Squadron (Light) THREE (HA(L)-3), assigned the mission of special operations support.

Throughout the Vietnam War, these squadrons developed new tactics and procedures for the unique demands of their top-tier missions.

After the Vietnam War, the Navy recognized the need to retain the skills of the experienced combat aviators and maintenance personnel of HC-7 and HA(L)-3. In 1975, Helicopter Wing Reserve (HELWINGRES) was established at NAS North Island.

Five years earlier, the GOLDEN GATERS of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron EIGHT FIVE (HS-85) were formed at NAS Alameda, California. In 1993, the squadron moved to NAS North Island. The next year, HS-85 was assimilated into HELWINGRES and took on the mission of search and rescue.

4th photo link: https://i.insider.com/6099e9cc342837...jpeg&auto=webp
Thai special-operations soldiers fast-rope off a US Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to HSC-85 during Exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand, February 25, 2020. US Army/Sgt. Anthony Bryant

In 2006, HS-85 gained the combat designation and became HSC-85 and became the HIGH ROLLERS. They also began flying the Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk.

In 2011, USSOCOM requested that the Navy stand up a dedicated special operations support squadron. HSC-85 was assigned the mission and took on their current FIREHAWKS name. They also traded their MH-60S Seahawks for the HH-60H model.

Along with their sister squadron, HSC-84 REDWOLVES, the FIREHAWKS supported special operations in the Pacific and Middle East. However, in 2016, HSC-84 was disbanded.

Two years later, HSC-85 traded their HH-60H Seahawks for the Block III MH-60S Seahawks that they now fly.

5th a video link: https://youtu.be/jIC0SWzrurk

Today, HSC-85 FIREHAWKS stands as the Navy's only squadron dedicated to providing training and readiness support to Naval Special Warfare and sister service special operations units.

As an expeditionary helicopter squadron, HSC-85 deploys deploys in response to requests for forces from geographic combatant commanders.

With highly skilled aircrews and disciplined maintenance professionals, the FIREHAWKS are ready to deliver top-tier support to America's special operators.

Read the original article on We Are The Mighty.
Re: https://www.wearethemighty.com/featu...tions-support/

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