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Warlords Remain Ready During Arduous Deployment

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030519-12

Release Date: 5/19/2003 9:59:00 AM

By Lt. j.g. Jessie Wojtkowiak, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 51 Detachment 1 Public Affairs vNAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan (NNS) -- Families and friends of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 squadrons, and some Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51 detachments (Det) recently welcomed their Sailors home.

As homecomings for many returning Sailors continue, HSL-51 Det. 1, remain embarked on USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, remained on watch in the Arabian Gulf.

Deployed in January, they had a brief stop in Singapore before heading into the Arabian Gulf where the ship has remained since.

The Warlords of HSL-51 have completed a multitude of missions and tasks since embarking aboard Vandegrift. Escort missions began as soon as Vandegrift arrived on station.

In less than three weeks, those same troops were seen on television liberating the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Det. 1 also provided air support for numerous Maritime Interdiction Operations, stopping suspected enemy vessels, and stemming the tide of fleeing Iraqi leaders.

The Warlords played a pivotal role in humanitarian relief, sea search and control, and anti-submarine/surface warfare operations.

Throughout this demanding deployment, the maintenance personnel have been making an extraordinary effort maintaining the detachment's two aircraft. Though their hard work is often sublime, these Sailors have put forth all their technical expertise in keeping the aircraft combat ready.