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Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Conducts Exercise

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS141027-09
Release Date: 10/27/2014 2:39:00 PM

By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Christian S. Eskelund

NORFOLK, Va. -- (NNS) -- 'I'm here at the tree line near a large field,' said Lt. Adam Shields into his radio, as he sat in the darkness. 'I can see a village nearby to the south. It's pretty quiet out here, but I think my leg is broken.'

'Hang in there, we're en route,' responded the rescue helicopter pilot. 'Any sign of hostile forces?'

'I can see flashlights approaching in the distance,' replied Shields hastily. 'You guys need to hurry. I can't move much here.'

This dialogue was part of a training scenario conducted by the Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Atlantic, which recently conducted a rescue exercise involving four MH-60 Seahawk helicopter pilots and nine aircrew members from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SEVEN (HSC-7).

The training, conducted in Fort Story, Va., is just a small part of the HSCWSL mission, which is to increase combat readiness of the Atlantic Fleet HSC and legacy HS helicopter squadrons. The training is part of the ongoing efforts to keep pilots prepared and ready for any situation.

Exercises like these ensure that teams can readily deploy for any contingency, accomplishing tactical missions in all required operational capabilities and environments. The school capitalizes upon cost-effective, standardized curricula and tactical exercises.

HSCWSL, established on 10 June 2005 and headquartered in Norfolk, Va., serves as the East Coast HSC Community's Tactical Center of Excellence, working together with Naval Strike and Warfare Command to develop, compile and promulgate tactical experience and training references as well as providing service and support to Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, Norfolk and Jacksonville based squadrons.

'These are important exercises,' said Lt. Wesley Johnson, Helicopter Advanced Readiness Program Officer, of Memphis, Tenn. 'Our whole goal is to teach and prepare fleet helicopter pilots and aircrews for deployment, which often involves the support of critical Naval Special Warfare operations, meaning that we have to stay at the top of our game, so that if an operation like this happens in the real world we can execute procedures safely, correctly and get our Sailors home.'