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Black Knights Return Following 6-Month Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060707-09
Release Date: 7/7/2006 11:33:00 AM

By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Mark G. Logico, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 returned home with USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7, July 6 after their six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific Ocean.

HS-4 “Black Knights” deployed with CSG 7 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. They also participated in various joint and coalition exercises.

“I’m just glad to be back. The deployment was interesting and an eye-opener,” said Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class (AW) Diego H. Perez, who was greeted with family and friends at the HS-4 homecoming.

“We’ve accomplished all our goals,” said Black Knight’s Command Master Chief, CMDCM (AW/SW) Rosa L. Wilson. “We had a mishap free, no liberty incident deployment. We are all looking forward to returning home to families and friends.”

According to Cmdr. Scott R. Bischoff, commanding officer of HS-4, the squadron executed anti-submarine warfare, combat search and rescue, and Naval Special Warfare support with CSG 7, and sent a detachment of helicopters to support ground forces in Southern Iraq as part of the British-led Multinational Division Southeast joint helicopter force.

Bischoff said making a difference to troops on the ground in Iraq made this deployment special.

Wilson said, by giving vertical lift capability and combat search and rescue, the Black Knights made an immense impact on the projected return of troops aiding in the closure of the global war on terrorism.

In January, HS-4 participated in Pacific fleet anti-submarine warfare exercises off of Hawaii. In June, they took part in Valiant Shield with 30 ships, 280 aircraft and 22,000 Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen.

During the deployment, Sailors from the Black Knights received the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal for their support in Iraq. They also received the Carrier Air Wing 14 Overall Excellence Award and Commander, Pacific Fleet Retention Honor Roll.