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HSC-4, HSM-78 to Return from Deployment

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS151216-16
Release Date: 12/16/2015 6:35:00 PM

From Naval Air Force Pacific Public Affairs

CORONADO, Calif (NNS) -- The 'Black Knights' of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 4 and the 'Blue Hawks' of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 are scheduled to return to Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) Dec. 16-17 following a four month deployment with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2.

CVW-2, comprised of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, VFA-34, VFA-137, VFA-192, Electronic Attack Squadron 136, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 113, HSM-78, HSC-4 and Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, embarked aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) for the aircraft carrier's transition from San Diego to Norfolk, Virginia.

During the transition to Norfolk, CVW-2 and the George Washington Carrier Strike Group participated in Southern Seas 2015 and UNITAS 2015.

HSC-4 deployed with six MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters, which are scheduled to return to NASNI Dec. 17. The MH-60S provides surface warfare, special operations support, combat search and rescue and increased fire power. Additionally, they provide logistics support to the battle group.

HSM-78 deployed with five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, which were scheduled to return to NASNI Dec. 16. The MH-60R is the only organic airborne anti-submarine warfare asset within strike groups and on independently deploying warships and is critical to ensuring maritime dominance. The MH-60R provides surface and subsurface warfare support with an advanced suite of sensors, data links and weapons.

The Navy's MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters complement the persistent and lethal force of the carrier air wing by providing capabilities ideally suited to 'Hunter Killer' teams in a counter Fast Attack Craft/Fast Inland Attack Craft role, leveraging MH-60R sensors and MH-60S weapon systems to rapidly neutralize an array of surface and subsurface threats. The two variants - the MH-60R and MH-60S - also share 85 percent commonality to facilitate maintenance and logistics support.