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Reserve Squadron Supports Ike

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050422-07
Release Date: 4/22/2005 12:58:00 PM

By Journalist 1st Class (SW/AW) Sonya Ansarov, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs

USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (NNS) -- The Emerald Knights of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 75, from Jacksonville, Fla., landed their SH-60F Seawhawks aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (Ike) (CVN 69) April 17, to support Ike during her third underway period since leaving the shipyard after completing a scheduled four-year, mid-life overhaul.

HS-75 is responsible for providing search and rescue (SAR) support during fixed-wing flight operations for the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadrons (VAW), VAW-121 and VAW-123, both of which fly E-2C Hawkeyes and are aboard Ike for carrier qualifications.

“We’re here for fleet support,” said Cmdr. Zack Taylor, HS-75’s commanding officer, and native of Matton, Ill. “I’m always looking for training for my people and getting their flight deck quals. Fleet support for us is measured on how much support we give back to the fleet by doing boat (detachments) and relieving the active duty HS [helicopter] support,” said Taylor.

The Emerald Knights are comprised of selective Reservists and full-time support personnel. HS-75 took Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 5's place during this underway period. HS-75 performs the same job as HS-5, and for this underway they are supporting Ike’s flight operations by having one helo airborne at all times with another helo ready to go at a moment’s notice.

“Being out here (aboard Ike) is a great opportunity for us, being that about 60 percent of the squadron are drilling Reservists,” said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Coogan, an HS-75 pilot, of Bayville, N.Y. “We have to cycle them in and out for their drill weekends and their annual active-duty training periods to keep them current in our operations. We use these operations to support the fleet and get our guys — from the pilots, to the air crew, to the maintainers — trained up,” added Coogan.

This underway period is a win-win situation for Ike, the squadrons conducting carrier qualifications and the Reservists of HS-75.

“It keeps us up to speed on everything,” said Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator (AW) Scott Pierce, of Houston, and HS-75’s training department leading chief petty officer.

This training is invaluable for HS-75 because they have to be ready to answer the nation’s call.

“Any Reserve squadron has to be ready to be mobilized, but we have not been mobilized yet; however, you never know what could happen,” said Pierce. “As far as supplementing the active-duty squadrons, that has been our bread and butter for the last several years, and we look forward to it,” added Pierce.

HS-75 Sailors are doing their part in providing fleet support, and their efforts are going a long way in ensuring Ike has another successful underway period.