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HSC-12 Deploys with CSG-9, will Fly Back from Norfolk

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS111212-24
12/12/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph Moon, Commander, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The "Golden Falcons" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 departed Naval Air Station North Island Dec. 12, to meet Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and the rest of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 for a deployment to the western Pacific Command and Central Command areas of responsibility.

In support of Carrier Air Wing 2, HSC-12 performs as the primary search and rescue platform during flight operations, provides special operations forces support, anti-surface warfare, and logistics. The squadron returned from a six-month deployment in March of this year.

"I can't be more proud of my Sailors," said Cmdr. Tony Roach, HSC-12 commanding officer. "They've handled themselves tremendously through a short turnaround and adversity; and came through every time above and beyond what my expectations and goals were."

HSC-12 flew to the ships in six MH-60S helicopters carrying 35 pilots, aircrew, and maintainers, who joined 190 squadron members already embarked on Lincoln. A detachment of two helicopters and 30 Sailors from the squadron deployed last month with the USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) to provide logistics support for the strike group and other Navy vessels.

Since Lincoln will not be returning to the West Coast after this deployment, HSC-12 will make a three to four-day flight across the country, with stops along the way, said Roach. "When the ship pulls into Norfolk, we'll fly our six aircraft off the carrier and fly them back across the country."

HSC-12 deploys as part of Carrier Air Wing 2 aboard Lincoln, and has a long-standing history of leadership within the Navy helicopter community, which is best exemplified by its accumulation of 11 Arnold Jay Isbell Trophies for ASW excellence - more than any other squadron in the United States Navy, most recently in 2009. In 2008 the Golden Falcon maintenance department continued to set the standard by winning the Sikorsky Aircraft Excellence in Maintenance Award. The command was awarded the Arleigh Burke Trophy for most improved command in the Pacific Fleet for 2004.