HSC-8

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight

HSC-8 Emblem
Active June 1, 1956 - present
Country  United States of America
Branch United States Navy
Type Navy Helicopter Squadron
Role Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW)
Combat Search & Rescue (CSAR)
Search & Rescue (SAR)
Special Operations (SpecOps)
Vertical replenishment (VERTREP)
Part of CVW-11
Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific
Garrison/HQ NAS North Island
Nickname(s) "Eightballers"
Motto(s) 'Ready & Lethal: Victory Follows the Eightball!'
Colors Green and Black
Engagements Vietnam War
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Global War on Terror
Commanders
Current
commander		 CDR Kelly Middleton

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight (HSC-8) "Eightballers" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. HSC-8 is attached to Carrier Air Wing 11[1] (CVW-11) and deploys aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68). HSC-8 was redesignated from HS-8 on 28 September 2007.

Mission

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight (HSC-8), "America's Premier Combat Helicopter Squadron", provides vertical lift Search and Rescue, Logistics, Anti-Surface Warfare, Special Operations Forces Support, and Combat Search and Rescue capabilities for Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-11) in support of the USS Nimitz(CVN-69) and Carrier Strike Group 11 (CSG-11) operations.

History

The original HS-8 was established at Naval Auxiliary Air Station Ream Field, Imperial Beach, California on June 1, 1956. The first helicopters employed by the command were the HSS-1 (H-34) Sea Bat. The squadron performed eight Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployments between 1957 and 1968 including combat tours in Vietnam. Notable achievements included the a 1,200 mile medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) made by helicopter, the longest in history. Other squadron achievements included participation in the Apollo VI space vehicle/crew recovery and performing more than 30 Combat Search and Rescue missions in North Vietnam.

An MH-60S Knighthawk Helicopter conducts VERTREP Operations

The squadron was decommissioned in November 1968 only to be recommissioned a year later on November 1, 1969. Although the Navy does not officially recognize lineage between the two squadrons,[2] the newly established squadron resumed the insignia and traditions of the former squadron. With the new commissioning came new helicopters, namely the SH-3D. Notable achievements during the next decade included site surveys for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, a study of blue whale migration patterns, supporting President Nixon during his working vacation aboard the USS New Orleans and deploying in response to the Iranian hostage crisis. In 1976 the American Bicentennial Committee honored HS-8 as a bicentennial command. The squadrons 19th deployment came in response to Desert Shield/Desert Storm in December 1990. This deployment was the last for HS-8 in the SH-3.

On April 2, 1993 HS-8 completed transition from the SH-3H into the new SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk helicopter. The squadron's 20th WESTPAC deployment was from February to August 1994. HS-8 was a member of Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). The 21st WESTPAC was concluded in May 1996 followed in September 1997 by an "Around the World Cruise" with the USS Nimitz. Deployments after this were routine until September 11, 2001.

From November 2001 to May 2002 HS-8 and Carrier Air Wing Nine deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom. There they played a vital role in the campaign that ended with the removal of the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

HSC-8 redesignation ceremony September 28, 2007
M240 machine gun is fired from a SH-60F Sea Hawk assigned to the "Eightballers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Eight (HS-8) during a training exercise. 2003

HS-8 made another WESTPAC deployment from January to September 2003 followed by their second "Around the World Cruise" from January to August 2005 aboard the USS Carl Vinson. The squadron earned the Carrier Air Wing Nine Golden Wrench Award for superior maintenance and mission completion percentages as well as the Battle E Device (Navy Battle Efficiency Award) for the 2005 World Cruise.

In early December 2005 an HS-8 helicopter and aircrew participated in filming a portion of the television show '24' where the helicopter was transporting the fictitious Russian president and his wife to the American presidents ranch.[3]

On September 28, 2007 at Naval Air Station North Island, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Eight was redesignated as Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight and received its first MH-60S with the armed helo kit. In January 2009, HSC-8 went on its first deployment with the MH-60S where it was joined by HSM-71 aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). During this deployment, HSC-8 assisted in the filming of Transformers 2.[4]

Starting the first of two back to back eight month deployment cycles, HSC-8 embarked on a WESTPAC deployment in July 2011. During deployment, the Eightballers accomplished the first ever MH-60S Cruiser/Destroyer (CRUDES) detachment when they embarked on USS MOBILE BAY (CG-53). HSC-8 also assisted in counter piracy operations, successfully aiding in the capture of fifteen suspected pirates.

After a short turn around, HSC-8 departed on an eight-month surge deployment to the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility in September 2012. HSC-8 deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing NINE (CVW-9) aboard the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, maritime security operations, and theater security exercises. One of the highlights of the deployment was the rescue of a drowning man in the Straits of Malacca- the Eightballer’s first overwater rescue in several years. HSC-8 also participated in OPERATION BEACON FLASH, a joint security exercise with the Royal Omani Air Force.

Former Commanding Officers

Squadron Aircraft

A rescue swimmer is lifted up to an HS-8 SH-60F.

H-34 Choctaw (redesignated SH-34 in 1962)

H-3 Sea King

SH-60 Seahawk

An HH-60H assigned to HS-8 prepares to taxi at NAF El Centro, CA.
An SH-3H of HS-8 dipping its sonar in 1989

Squadron Awards

Ships Deployed Aboard

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ History.navy.mil
  3. ↑ News.Navy.mil (Navy News Stand)
  4. ↑ Navy.mil, Navy News Stand
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