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HAL-4 Story
Reinstitution of Naval Air Superiority
Only four years after the disestablishment of HAL-3, two Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadrons in the Naval Reserve were created. Established in July 1976, the HAL-4 Red Wolves provided dedicated quick reaction Close Air Support (CAS) for east coast Navy SEAL teams and riverine forces.
Established on 1 July, 1976 and based at NAS Norfolk, VA, HAL-4 reestablished the quick reaction, close-air-support capability vital to Naval Special Warfare. Outfitted with eight Bell Huey HH-1K gunships, the squadron provided 10 flight crews and 75 maintenance and administrative personnel.
HAL-4 benefited from its affiliation with many former sailors from HAL-3, HC-7, as well as Vietnam experienced veterans. Buoyed by this experience, support to NSW units was immediate and exceptional. Flying with PVS-5 Night Vision Goggles (NVG) and operating the M-21 weapons system, the Red Wolves carried a greater weapons load than HAL-3 due to the increased lift capability of the HH-1K.
The M-21 weapons system consisted of two GAU-2B/A Gatlin type mini-guns operated by the co-pilot and two rocket launchers each capable of carrying seven 2.75” Folding Fin Aerial Rockets (FFAR) normally operated by the pilot. The mini-guns could deliver 4000 rounds of 7.62mm ammo per minute with an additional two M-60 door mounted machine guns that were operated by the door gunners.
Annually, numerous detachments were completed across the country at locations that included NAS Fallon, NV, along with various weapons ranges along the East and Gulf Coasts.
Exercises and operations with our allies from Honduras all the way to Norway supported Navy SEALs and other NATO special operations units in 1988 and 1989. Additional, joint detachments to Denmark and Germany supporting SEALs and Kampfschwimmers Naval Special Forces was conducted in 1987.
A major restructuring and reorganization of Naval Reserve helicopter CSAR/NSW community resulted in newer, more capable aircraft to support two primary missions of CSAR and NSW support.
In October 1989, HAL-4 was re-designated as Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron 4 (HCS-4). In February 1990, the Red Wolves received the first of nine HH-60H Seahawk helicopters.