HSL-37 Easyriders Come Home
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS031110-03
Release Date: 11/10/2003 8:16:00 AM
By Lt. Arwen Consaul, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- The morning of Nov 2., loved ones gathered on the flight line of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Squadron (HSL) 37, as two SH-60B Seahawk helicopters carried the entire Easyrider air crew to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. It had been 233 days since they had last seen each other.
Families rushed to their loved ones as the crew exited, and March 15 - the day they squadron had departed - seemed like a distant memory for many who were there.
Lt. Douglas McIntosh was awaiting the arrival of his wife, Lt. Suzanne Harker, a helicopter aircraft commander for HSL-37.
"It's proud serving your country, and that's the only thing that makes the separation worthwhile," said McIntosh.
Cmdr. David T. Fisher, HSL-37 commanding officer, said he was extremely proud to have worked with the officers and Sailors of the Easyrider crew of Detachment 6.
"Det. 6 performed an extraordinary and essential mission," Fisher said. "Interdiction ops against our foes and the support on the war against terrorism, they did that well and to the 'T.' "
HSL-37 Det. 6 was deployed aboard USS Chosin (CG 65) as part of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Strike Group. The Easyriders deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Between the two helicopters, Det. 6's crew of six pilots and three aircrew flew more than 1,000 flight hours, with over half of them at night operating on night vision goggles. The crew of HSL-37 flew 812 operational flight hours while deployed for more than seven months.
While aboard Chosin in the 5th Fleet area of operation for 184 days, the Easyriders flew 176 missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Aviation Warfare Systems Operator (SW) 2nd Class Stanley D. Cox stated they "flew 12 hours a day maintaining a constant presence, letting everyone know that we were there."
The pilots weren't the only part of the detachment that kept busy. The 18 maintainers of the detachment kept busy repairing the aircraft and acquiring qualifications.
While underway, the maintainers of Det. 6 repaired a main gearbox, "a feat not done while underway, and the crew did it with precision," according to Fisher.
Also, 12 maintainers received their Air Warfare pins, and two Sailors received their Surface Warfare qualifications. Finally, Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class (AW/SW) Jae Kim received the Junior Sailor of the Quarter for the third quarter from HSL-37, USS Chosin and Commander Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Wing, U.S. Pacific.
He "packs a mighty punch for one man," according to Fisher.
While the families rejoiced at the homecoming, the crew took time to thank their loved ones for the support given to them while they were away.
Lt. Cmdr. Randall Biggs, the officer in charge of Det. 6, stated, "I appreciate everyone taking time out to welcome us home. Dets come back from sea all the time, and I appreciate you all coming out to welcome these guys back. These guys did an awesome job, and I can't say enough about them."
Though happiness was the focus that morning, the returning warriors didn't forget about the men and women still fighting overseas. The Easyriders took the time to remind the audience that there are still service men and women protecting our country and doing their jobs.
"We only did seven extra weeks out there from a normal WestPac," said Biggs. "And you think about the other members who spend a year in country doing the hard jobs who don't get a homecoming, it really puts this in perspective. Please just remember all the guys that are still out there doing their jobs everyday.
"It's great to be home."
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