HSC-85
| Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 | |
|---|---|
|
HSC-85 Emblem | |
| Active | 2006 - present |
| Country |
 United States of America |
| Branch |
 United States Navy |
| Type | Navy Helicopter Squadron |
| Role |
Special Operations (SpecOps) Combat Search & Rescue (CSAR) Search & Rescue (SAR) |
| Garrison/HQ | NAS North Island |
| Nickname(s) | "Firehawks" |
| Motto | "Et Fun Faciendo" |
| Colors | Red, Blue, Gold |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Commander Kit Brown |
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 (HSC-85) Firehawks is a United States Navy Reserve helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. HSC-85 currently flies the HH-60H Seahawk. This squadron is one of only two Navy helicopter squadrons dedicated to Special Operations support as a primary role.
On July 8, 2011 the squadron was retasked as a Special Operations support squadron in response to a request by United States Special Operations Command.
The squadron has an indirect lineage to the Firehawks of HCS-5, which was disestablished by the Navy in 2006 in accordance with the Navy's Helicopter Master Plan (1998). HCS-5 also exclusively supported Special Operations prior to disestablishment. Although the administrative nature of the lineage is indirect, many former members of HCS-5 were either already serving at HSC-85, or came to serve at HSC-85 after the squadron was re-tasked with its current Special Operations (SO) mission.
HSC-85 began its first deployment supporting the SO mission in September 2013 and is currently deployed in support of Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC).
In accordance with a 2015 Navy directive, HSC-85 is scheduled to decommission as a result of the Budget Control Act.
On Dec 7, 2014 Navy times posted,[1] HSC-84 and 85 are scheduled to shut down in fiscal year 2016. That would likely force fleet helo pilots to pick up special operations missions, which Butcher (Former CO of HSC-84) characterized as a problematic plan since these missions require specialized flight training and gear.
A SOCOM spokesman referred a request for comment to the Navy.
"We're continuing to look at all options as we formulate our FY 16 budget, but at this point in time these options are all pre-decisional," Navy spokesman Lt. Rob Myers told Navy Times Nov. 21. "As with our FY15 budget submission, we will balance requirements with affordability to ensure we are delivering the right capabilities to the operational commanders and support to our sailors in the fleet."
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