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HSC-28 Reaffirms Its Reputation with Battle 'E' Award

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080429-24
Release Date: 4/29/2008 4:23:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Leslie Tomaino, Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, "The Dragon Whales", received Navy Battle 'E' in a ceremony held at Naval Station Norfolk, April 28.

The award was presented to the commanding officer and command master chief on behalf of the crew by Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic, Rear Adm. Bill Goodwin.

The Battle 'E' is awarded annually to ships and units that display the maximum condition of readiness in their group, and for their capability to perform their wartime responsibilities. Squadrons are graded in areas such as operational efficiency, readiness achievements, aircraft material readiness, training, schedule and cost performance, to name just a few.

Among the squadron's many accomplishments recognized in 2007, HSC-28 was the first helicopter detachment to deploy aboard the USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) after overcoming numerous overwhelming logistical and maintenance challenges. With Detachment 2's participation in the Partnership of the Americas, a presidential ordered humanitarian mission aiding 12 nations, their aid enabled the Comfort to provide medical and public health support to nearly 100,000 disadvantaged people in the Caribbean, Latin, and Central America regions. The squadron in turn helped pave the way for future MH-60 Sierra helicopter detachments.

"Battle 'E' is a yearlong event but it doesn't stop there, and it didn't start there. I think the highest compliment a squadron can have is to win the Battle 'E'," said Goodwin. "It's all about the here and now, you have to look to today and tomorrow and you can't stop doing what you're doing."

The crew's ability to focus and complete their jobs efficiently resulted in the squadron's successful completion of 4,517 Class Alpha mishap-free flight hours in 2007, surpassing the 50,000 consecutive mishap-free flight hour mile stone as a squadron. On the tip of the spear, the "Dragon Whales" showed their ability to get the job done safely and skillfully.

Cmdr. David Stracener, HSC-28 commanding officer, thanked his crew for all their hard work and dedication, and recognized the command's supportive families and ombudsmen as instrumental in their success through their unwavering support, allowing the crew to focus on the jobs and the mission at hand.

"A critical conduit and part of that success can be attributed to the communication and resources that our squadron ombudsman have provided," said Stracener who presented the ombudsmen with bouquets of flowers as a token of the command's appreciation.

HSC-28 Command Master Chief (CMDCM) Linda Dennehy, was presented the Battle 'E' plaque along with the commanding officer and shared her thoughts on what the award meant to her and the Sailors of HSC-28 as a culmination of a years worth of hard work.

"The Battle 'E' is an acknowledgement that you've maintained the level of readiness and mission accomplishment non-stop, for a year," said Dennehy. "It's a terrific feeling knowing your Sailors are being recognized for the incredible work they've accomplished… and the Sailors of HSC-28 are the best."

For more enws from Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic, visit www.navy.mil/local/comnavairlant/.