HSL-45 "Wolfpack" Marks 17 Years Without Major Mishap
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS061130-17
Release Date: 11/30/2006 3:00:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Matthew N. Jackson, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 45 “Wolfpack” recognized 17 years and more than 108,000 flight hours without a major mishap at Naval Base Coronado (NBC).
Operating and maintaining SH-60B helicopters, the Wolfpack has successfully completed more than 70 deployments aboard U.S. Navy frigates, destroyers and cruisers supporting various operations, including Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Doing things safely by the book is the squadron’s responsibility to everyone who has come before us, and we don’t want to break this outstanding record,” said HSL-45’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. David Edgecomb. “Everything we do is in accordance with regulations. We also encourage everyone to stop an evolution if they see a risk we haven’t discussed or mitigated as standard safety practice.”
The Wolfpack’s accomplishments are a testimony to the dedication and professionalism of the men and women of HSL-45.
“Our job includes being properly trained, knowing operational risk management (ORM), knowing our job and the dangers involved,” said Aviation Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Dan G. Poblete. “The helicopters have a lot of moving parts, and if you’re not aware of what you’re doing, it’s easy to lose a finger. Personnel can get injured, or possibly damage the aircraft.”
Past and present members have earned the squadron nine Meritorious Unit Commendations, 12 Navy Unit Commendations, five Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, and they’ve held the Navy Battle “E” award five consecutive years.
The squadron attributed their success to the high quality of training everyone in the command receives.
“We bestow a lot of responsibility on junior Sailors who’ve served less than a year in the Navy,” said Chief Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AW) Christopher A. Perry, division leading chief petty officer and training officer of HSL-45. “They inspected the aircraft and made sure the pilots and air crew took off and came home safely. Their safety in executing their job all comes back to training.”
The Wolfpack is proud of the milestones they have achieved.
“I’m honored to be part of 17 years and 108,000 flight hours without a mishap or fatality,” said Poblete. “The squadron is doing really well, and it’s just a great one to be in.”
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