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HCS-4 story
A New Chapter in Special Operations
SOF and CSAR support missions merged from three squadrons to two: HCS-4 and HCS-5. The sole Navy CSAR squadron, HC-9, was disestablished in July, 1990.
HCS-4 received nine HH-60H Seahawk helicopters starting in February 1990 at NAS Norfolk. Assigned a complement of 230 officers and enlisted personnel, HCS-4 could operate as a squadron or rapidly deploy four independent detachments; each could provide their own administration, training, planning, and execution of operational missions.
HCS-4 demonstrated the ability to operate from ships at sea as well as prepared or unprepared land bases. HCS-4 trained to be able to fly day or night, long-range, low-level missions in all climates and areas of the world.
On December 9, 1990, HCS-4 and its sister squadron, HCS-5, deployed to Al Jouf, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield. The detachment flew day and night sorties to ArAr Airfield on the border of Iraq where it stood CSAR strip alert watches until combat operations ended in March 1991.
In 1994, Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti demonstrated the squadron’s capability and flexibility in the dual mission role. Deployed in 48 hours to the USS Eisenhower (CVN69) Carrier Strike Group, the Red Wolf Detachment was split into two smaller single aircraft detachments that would be assigned different missions. Detachment 1 was assigned to the USS Vicksburg (CG69) to provide SOF support while Detachment 2 was assigned to the USS Comte de Grasse (DD974) for CSAR.
Throughout the 90’s the squadron focused equally on both CSAR and SOF Support. CSAR activities during this period, included:
Multiple detachments every year in support of Carrier Air Wing “workups” at NAS Fallon, NV, multiple USAF A-10 Fighter Weapons School CSAR qualifications at Nellis AFB, NV. Lastly, in 1997, the squadron sent a CSAR detachment to the Cope Thunder training exercise at Eielson AFR, Alaska.
Parallel to CSAR support, the squadron never turned away from its special operations support roots, training in:
Brekstad, Norway: Support for Navy SEALs and Jeger Kommandoen (February 1995)
Exercise UNITAS in Brazil to support regional stability operations with allied countries (1997 and 1998)
Cold weather operations with Navy SEALS at NAS Brunswick, ME (1997)
Multiple detachments to Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, PR in support of Special Boat Unit 20 and East Coast based SEAL Teams
Regional engagements with Army and Navy SOF, and the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) at Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Pickett, VA, Hurlburt AFB, FL, and Fort Polk, LA (late 1990’s)
January 1996 – HCS-4 supported a one helicopter detachment with personnel onboard the USS George Washington (CVN-73) Strike Group for a six-month deployment. Operating in the Mediterranean Sea, HCS-4 seamlessly integrated with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron FIVE (HS-5).
Between 1995 and 1999, the HH-60H received a slew of mission-centric upgrades that sharpened her lethality in combat. These timely modifications included addition of an integrated AAS-44 FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) and AGM-114 Hellfire missile system, Aircraft Survivability Equipment sensor suite, GAU-17 minigun system, and M240 machine guns to replace the Vietnam-era M60D.
HCS-4 mobilized in March 2003 and deployed four helicopters and personnel to NAS Sigonella, Sicily and was attached to CTF 64 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Separately, a two-helicopter detachment accompanied a SEAL Platoon and a Special Boat Unit embarked on the USS La Salle (AGF3) and then the USS Nashville (LPD3). While embarked, the squadron conducted Maritime Intercept Operations (MIO). Two remaining aircraft and personnel were held in reserve at RAFB Akrotiri, Cyprus. The focus of the MIO operation was to capture terrorist and Iraqi regime leaders attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to North Africa.
In 2003, squadron personnel were sent to augment HCS-5’s SOF support detachment in Baghdad, Iraq. In the winter of 2004, the Red Wolves assumed responsibility for the 4-aircraft deployment in support of the Joint Special Operation Task Force – Arabian Peninsula (JSOTF-AP) and in the spring of 2004, the squadron moved from Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) to Balad Air Base as part of a Joint Special Operations Aviation Detachment (JSOAD) with the Air Force as the lead agency.
HCS-4 performed a myriad of missions to include Direct Action assaults, Airborne Surveillance, Armed Reconnaissance, and Logistics Support. The Red Wolves supported Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets, and Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC), as well as organic Iraqi counter terrorism units. Interoperability with the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) greatly increased effectiveness of air support to SOF ground forces.
HCS-4 was re-designated as Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron EIGHT FOUR (HSC-84) on 1 October 2006. The Red Wolves’ unprecedented, extended deployment would continue for many more years and the command would adapt and maintain a high level of performance under the most arduous conditions.