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HSL-37 Returns from Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS041116-15
Release Date: 11/16/2004 2:33:00 PM

By Journalist Seaman Ryan C. McGinley, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- The "Easy Riders" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron, Light (HSL) 37 returned to Marine Corps Air Base Kaneohe, Hawaii, from a six-month deployment Nov. 12.

The squadron had been deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, embarked aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37).

The crew of 25 personnel reported with Crommelin May 20 to the Eastern Pacific to engage in monitoring, detection and counter-drug activities. They disrupted five narcotics smuggling operations, interdicted more than $1 billion worth of cocaine and captured 29 suspected narcotics smugglers.

"We had a detachment that had their act together," said Cmdr. Patrick Molenda, commanding officer of HSL-37. "We had a ship that took the mission seriously. We had the systems, equipment and aircraft to put a pretty big hurting on the drug [smugglers]."

HSL-37, in conjunction with U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Det. 105 and Crommelin, intercepted the vessel San Jose and seized a total of 525 bales of cocaine weighing approximately 10.5 metric tons. The effort was recorded as the third largest at-sea bust in U.S. history.

"Everything came together," said Lt. j.g. Elise Eastman, attached to HSL-37. "Everything, time-wise, worked out just like we planned."

Despite record-setting drug interdictions, members of HSL-37 said the highlight of the deployment was running down go-fast boats.

"You're doing high-pace flying," said Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Douglas Hagen. "You're right over them, and they are going as fast as they can to get away. It's a really neat experience."

"Your adrenaline's going and you're trying to stay on top of them," added Eastman. "There is nothing like it."

HSL-37 participated in six different go-fast chases and also helped to rescue 93 migrants from a disabled fishing vessel, returning them to their home country of Ecuador.

"You're just taking everything you learned by the book and forming it into the real world situation," said Hagen.

Eastman and Hagen said the most important thing they learned during their deployment was patience.

"Everything is just so overwhelming at first, and then finally you start to get in the swing of things and learn how to apply your knowledge with patience," she said. "It was a good experience. I got to see and do more than I ever imagined I would."

HSL-37 also participated with Crommelin in UNITAS, a series of maritime exercises with ships and submarines from 10 South American countries, and PANAMAX 2004, a two-week exercise focused on the maritime defense of the Panama Canal.

"It's tremendous not only to have them back in the squadron and back with their families, but the fact that they just had an incredibly successful deployment [is good]," said Molenda. "I'm thrilled to have them back, and I absolutely couldn't be [more proud] of what they've done out there, and that's what it's all about."