HSC-25's Det 6 Capabilities a Plus for Fall Patrol
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS061030-09
Release Date: 10/30/2006 4:05:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/PJ) Michael D. Kennedy, USS Essex Public Affairs
ABOARD USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Essex’s (LHD 2) ship's vertical replenishment (VERTREP) squadron, which possesses a search and rescue (SAR) capability, is supporting Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2007 in the Republic of the Philippines Oct. 16 - 31.
Though they may make up a small number of Essex’s crew, the pilots and maintenance support Sailors of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, Det. 6 “Island Knights” make big contributions. The detachment is the Navy’s only forward deployed VERTREP squadron, and in addition to the search and rescue (SAR) component, the squadron also provides a platform for medical evacuations.
“This detachment is challenging for whoever is assigned to it, and we’ve done some great things,” said Lt. Chris Grande, an Island Knights pilot. “Right after I first got to the ship, we were providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) assistance to the survivors of the December 2005 Indonesia tsunami. The helicopters carried about two tons of food, water and relief supplies to the victims of the tsunami, and Det. 6 also assisted with delivering items to Southern Leyte after the devastating landslide hit that area earlier this year. It was a good feeling to be able to help."
Comprised of seven officers and 24 enlisted personnel, Det. 6, based out of Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, maintains two MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters that log more than 1,000 hours of flight time per year, adding up to 42 days of continuous flying.
In addition to providing SAR coverage for more than 100 flight deck evolutions, the detachment moved more than 6 million pounds of food, supplies and parts in fiscal year (FY) 2006 in support of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), based in Sasebo, Japan.
This amount of flying and heavy lifting puts an enormous strain on the aircraft, so it is up to the maintenance personnel to assertively work toward readiness.
“We have to have one bird (helicopter) ready to go at all times and that can be quite challenging," said Chief Aviation Electrician’s Mate Randy Schneider. "It’s a 24-hour-a-day job at times fixing the aircraft and keeping up with the maintenance schedule. It takes real determination to complete a challenge like that.”
The Island Knights’ ever-expanding role now includes an armed helicopter providing protection to ships entering and leaving ports.
“We have started to take on more tactical roles. We now are able to perform channel guard duties,” stated Grande. “Our mission of providing VERTREP, SAR and medical evacuation assistance will continue, but with the addition of more tactical missions, I foresee us working even harder to accomplish what is expected of us."
Essex, USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Juneau (LPD 10), all with embarked Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, are currently on their fall patrol in the Philippines participating in Talon Vision and PHIBLEX with the armed forces of the Philippines.
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