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HS-2 Deploys with CSG 9

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060304-02
Release Date: 3/4/2006 8:33:00 AM

By Journalist Seaman Joseph Caballero, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 2, the “Golden Falcons,” deployed March 3 from Naval Air Station North Island on a Western Pacific deployment in support of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9.

HS-2, armed with multimission capable HH-60H Seahawk helicopters, is capable of anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surface warfare, search and rescue operations, and logistical support.

While en route, CSG 9 will be conducting an ASW exercise off the coast of Hawaii. This training opportunity is designed to further enhance the strike group’s abilities to meet the Pacific Fleet commander’s top warfighting priority, ASW, at a time when quiet submarine technologies are proliferating around the world. Participating units will exercise and test coordinated ASW tactics while collecting performance data to evaluate their proficiency.

“I don’t think the strike warfare mission could happen without us,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mark Leavitt, maintenance officer with HS-2. “First and foremost, we provide search and rescue capabilities that are required for a carrier to perform flight operations. We will be the first to take off and the last to land in order to ensure everyone is safe.”

According to Leavitt, HS-2 has been preparing for deployment since they returned from their previous deployment last March.

“We got underway continuously building up to this,” said Leavitt. “HS-2 never stops preparing.”

During its last deployment, HS-2 helped the tsunami-stricken regions of Southeast Asia by performing nearly 250 medical evacuations and transferring supplies.

“We played an enormous part in the humanitarian efforts,” said Leavitt. “We saved a lot of lives and helped thousands of people.”

HS-2 will be on deployment for several months before returning home to San Diego.

“I think we all hate to leave our homes and our families, but we have a job to do and have to do what needs to be done,” said Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class (AW) Jarred Slocum, rescue swimmer with HS-2.