HSM-41 Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080208-18
Release Date: 2/8/2008 8:27:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Sean Patrick Lenahan, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific
NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) -- Sailors from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41 celebrated their 25th anniversary, Feb. 6 at Naval Air Station North Island.
HSM-41's commanding officer, Capt. Curtis Shaub gave the opening remarks and spoke about past commanding officers and events the squadron has experienced throughout its history.
Shaub was then joined in the cake cutting by retired Capt. David R. Landon, the squadron's 11th commanding officer. Also in attendance were 10 other prior commanding officers to help commemorate the growth of HSM-41.
"It gives me a tremendous feeling of pride to be here to see how far this command has come since I first took the helm in 1983," said retired Capt. Michael B. O'Connor, the squadron's first commanding officer. "I can only imagine the amount of Sailors and officers that have been trained here after my departure and the legacy that will carry on."
Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Sophia Palafox spoke about coalition within the command.
"This squadron has treated me as if I was part of a tight-niche family," said Palafox. "They treated me with compassion from day one."
Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class (AW/SW) Burt Brown said "it's relieving to have such supportive and outstanding leadership and friends here."
This month, the command will also celebrate achieving 14,000 mishap-free flight hours, one of the longest standing records for HSM-41.
The command was established Jan. 21, 1983 as the world's first light airborne multipurpose system Mk III squadron and provides training on the West Coast for pilots and airmen.
For more news from Navy Region Southwest, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrsw/.
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