HSC-3
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron THREE HELSEACOMBATRON 3 (HSC-3) | |
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MH-60S Knighthawk |
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron THREE (HELSEACOMBATRON 3 or HSC-3 Merlins) (previously Helicopter Combat Support Squadron THREE (HELSUPPRON 3 or HC-3 Packrats)), is a
History
The "Packrats" were originally established as HC-3 on 1 September 1967. They were the Navy's sole vertical replenishment (VERTREP) squadron and operated the CH-46 Sea Knight from supply vessels operated by the Combat Logistics Force (CLF) to carry across supplies from the deck of the supply ship to fleet ships being re-supplied. This greatly increased the speed of underway replenishment operations, particularly when supporting the fleet's aircraft carriers at sea which in turn improved the ability of battle groups to arrive on station sooner and stay there longer. The squadron was soon moved to Naval Air Station North Island in July 1972.
A significant change in the unit's mission came about in 1982 when the squadron became the Navy's single-site
HSC-3 administers a number of programs in addition to providing trained pilots and aircrew to the Fleet. As the Model Manager for the Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) for the MH-60S, HSC-3 evaluates the NATOPS program of each HSC squadron annually. HSC-3 instructors also train all Pacific Fleet Helicopter Control Officers (HCOs) and Landing Signalman Enlisted (LSEs). Additionally, as the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) SAR Model Manager, HSC-3 establishes the training and equipment requirements for all naval SAR operations. The unit has 4 out of the Navy's 17 Master Chief Naval Aircrewman (AWCM) where historically there has only been one assigned for the last 30 years.[citation needed]
As a result of the command's concern for all aspects of flight and ground safety, HC-3 safety record combined with HSC-3's celebrated their 250,000th Class A mishap-free flight hour on 14 June 2013 after not suffering an accident since 1973. This record makes HSC-3 the safest operational helicopter squadron in the Navy and has enabled the squadron to win eight
During the USS Bonhomme Richard fire that started on 12 July 2020, HSC-3 SCORE DET participated in firefighting efforts, dropping water from the air to help augment firefighting efforts.[4]
References
- ^ "Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron". Go! Navy. 5 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ^ Pike, John. "Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron THREE [HSC-3]". globalsecurity.org.
- ^ "HSC-3 'Merlins'". seaforces.org. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ^ "UPDATED: Fire Fight on USS Bonhomme Richard Enters 2nd Day, 59 Treated for Injuries". 13 July 2020.