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HSL-51 Transitions from Operation Tomodachi Support to Pacific Deployment Preparations

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110405-05
4/5/2011

By By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jose Lopez, Naval Air Facility Misawa Public Affairs

NAVAL AIR FACILITY MISAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51 is preparing to conclude its mission at Naval Air Facility Misawa (NAFM), Japan this week after temporarily repositioning here in support of Operation Tomodachi.

The squadron provided Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to different areas that were affected by the natural disasters. Using the SH-60B Seahawk, the squadron delivered close to 200,000 lbs of supplies to the people of Japan, and provided search and rescue support.

"The first day we went out we were looking for potential landing zones," said Naval Air Crewmen 3rd Class Jeff Pearson, of Amarillo, Texas, about his first missions after the quake. "We landed and asked what they needed. The next day they had a circle with an 'H' waiting for us. They got in line and, in a very organized way, assisted in moving the supplies off the helicopter."

The squadron, nicknamed "Warlords," also flew missions from ships currently in the Pacific Ocean that are supporting the relief effort near the island's east coast.
As operations return to normal, the squadron has been ordered to return to their permanent base of operations, Naval Air Facility Atsugi. Within the next couple of days, all personnel will board a C-9 Skytrain and travel back home.

"It feels good that we're going home, that we've concluded Operation Tomodachi," said Lt. Cmdr. Rob Wickman, Training Officer with HSL-51, a native of Cleveland, Ohio. "It's back to training now. We have to get ready to deploy with the USS George Washington (CVN 73) sometime this summer."

HSL-51 began flying missions shortly after the disasters. Within a few days, they were mobilized and moved to NAFM where they supported the relief effort from a closer vantage point. They delivered water, food, diapers, and many other items the people needed to help them overcome the post-tsunami hardships.

"It felt good being part of Operation Tomodachi," added Wickman about his mission in Misawa. "We were able to deliver the supplies needed by the people of Japan. They've always been great hosts to us, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to help them out."