Military

Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, Pacific [COMHELSEACOMBATWINGPAC]

On April 15, 2005, during a ceremony at NAS North Island, Helicopter Tactical Wing, Pacific Fleet [HELTACWINGPAC] and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Wing, Pacific Fleet [HSWINGPAC] were officially merged into Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, Pacific Fleet [HELSEACOMBATWINGPAC]. This merger was a result of the Navy moving toward a reduction in aircraft types.

Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (HELSEACOMBATWINGPAC) was established April 15, 2005 in a ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island. The ceremony marked the merger of the former Helicopter Anti-Submarine Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (HSWINGPAC) and Helicopter Tactical Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (HETACWINGPAC), as the Navy moves toward a reduction in aircraft types.

HELSEACOMBATWINGPAC combines both the strike capability of the HS wing and the cargo capability of the HC wing into its primary mission. All of its squadrons will eventually transition to the MH-60S Seahawk. Currently, the HSC (formerly HC) squadrons fly the MH-60S, while the HS squadrons fly the SH-60F and the HH-60H. The HS squadrons will transition over the next decade.

HELSEACOMBATWINGPAC squadrons will continue to deploy with all carrier strike groups and expeditionary strike groups, carrying out the traditional helicopter fleet support missions, including search and rescue, vertical replenishment and logistical support. With the MH-60S, they add combat search and rescue in support of strike warfare, Naval Special Warfare, anti-surface ship warfare and organic airborne mine countermeasures capabilities.