SOF Support Timeline – Firewolf Association

1967 - 1972 Vietnam Era

The Seawolves of HAL-3

In 1967 during the Vietnam War, the Navy established Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three (HAL-3), known as the Seawolves. They were created to provide dedicated helicopter support to Riverine and SEAL forces, gaining legendary status for their heroism under fire. The Seawolves operated in the Mekong Delta and even ventured into Cambodia, offering crucial insertion/extraction and Close Air Support. However, this capability was disestablished at the conclusion of the conflict.

THE SEA DEVILS OF HC-7

In addition, the Sea Devils of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Seven (HC-7) was also established in 1967 to support operations in southeast Asia. Although tasked to support multiple missions such as logistics and aerial mine countermeasures among others, they became the only dedicated command in the war to support Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). This historic helicopter squadron rescued countless air crews over North Vietnam, gaining an incredible reputation for their bravery, perseverance, and dedication to the mission. They did not create CSAR but they created the doctrine that would establish a functional service capability for decades to come. HC7 was disestablished in May of 1975.

THE BLACK PONIES OF VAL-4

Light Attack Squadron Four (VAL-4) was established in 1969 to support the mission of conducting surveillance and offensive operations in support of river patrol craft, as well as providing air support for Navy SEALs and combined operations. The VAL-4 Black Ponies were based in South Vietnam, providing overhead air cover, scramble alert and gunfire/ artillery spotting. The OV-10 aircraft allowed for increased payload and endurance over a large area of South Vietnam. VAL-4 was disestablished in the Philippines by the spring of 1972.

HH-3A_Sea_King_of_HC-7_off_NAS_Cubi_Point_in_January_1974_(NNAM.2011.113.235)

Rockwell_OV-10A_Bronco_of_VAL-4_at_an_airfield_in_Vietnam,_in_late_1969

1975 - 1989 Re-establishing Specialized Support

HAL-4 REDWOLVES, HAL-5 BLUEHAWKS, AND HC-9 PROTECTORS

HAL-4 AND HAL-5:

Recognizing the need for specialized support, the Navy re-established dedicated helicopter Special Operations Forces (SOF) support with the creation of HAL-4 Redwolves and HAL-5 Bluehawks in 1976 and 1977, respectively.

HC-9: ESTABLISHING THE GOLD STANDARD IN COMBAT SEARCH AND RESCUE

The Protectors of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Nine (HC-9) were established in 1975 and for the next 15 years were the only Navy squadron tasked with providing rescue and recovery of aircrews in a hostile environment with a secondary mission of supporting insertion and extraction of special operations forces (SOF). HC-9’s professionalism and reputation not only set the standard tactically but helped usher in the doctrine and procedures of the complex mission of CSAR.

1989 - Transition and Renaming

HCS-4 & HCS-5 (Redwolves & Firehawks)

In 1989, these squadrons transitioned to the HH-60H Seahawk helicopter and were renamed Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadrons Four and Five (HCS4 & HCS5), becoming the Redwolves and Firehawks. They forward deployed for Operation Desert Storm in ’91 and Uphold/Restore Democracy in ’94.

HCS-4 Redwolves

Upon completion of a re-designation from HAL-4, Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron FOUR (HCS-4) was created and assumed the two main missions of Special Operations Forces (SOF) support and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR).

HCS-5 Firehawks

After the name change from HAL-5, Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron FIVE (HCS-5) changed to assume two main missions; Special Operations Forces (SOF) support and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). The operationalization of the Navy’s reserve force squadrons enabled HCS-5 to prove its worth, time and again; across the full spectrum of operations in both peace and wartime. The re-badged Firehawks maintained a high operational tempo throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, until a short-sighted disestablishment in 2006 that was part of the Navy’s new Helicopter Master Plan.

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U.S. Navy Special Boat Operators from Special Boat Unit 12, Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, Calif., climb a ladder onto a Navy HH-60 helicopter as part of a maritime search and rescue operation on Walker Lake, Nev. during Desert Rescue X June 24, 2002. Desert Rescue is a joint coalition forces combat search and rescue (CSAR) training exercise that is hosted by the Naval Strike and Warfare Center, Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev. The exercise simulates downed aircrew to perform CSAR related missions as well as experiment in realistic scenarios. (Photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen) (Released)

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A HH-60H from Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron 5, Naval Air Station North Island, Sandiego, California, carries passengers for a reconnaissance mission over Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 01, 2003. Operation Iraqi Freedom is a multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people and eliminate Iraqi's weapons of mass destruction and the regime of Saddam Hussein. (US Air Force Photo By Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall) (released)

Post-9/11 Operations

Responding to New Challenges

After the 9/11 attacks, HCS-4 and HCS-5 were poised to respond. HCS-4 supported OEF Special Operations contingencies, while HCS-5 deployed to Kuwait for Phase 1 of OIF. HCS-5 was eventually disestablished in 2006, but HCS-4 continued their dedicated SOF support role in OIF through the end of OND in 2011. The community contributed significantly to over 3,000 SOF support missions, including approximately 1,600 Direct Action assaults against High-Value Targets and insurgent groups.

HSC-84

With yet another re-designation on 1 October 2006, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron EIGHT FOUR (HSC-84) continued the same mission tasking as HCS-4. The squadron supported NSW elements, U.S. Army 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 10th Special Forces Groups, First Brigade of the Iraqi Special Operations Forces and the Polish Grupa Reagowania Operacyjno-Manewrowego (GROM). While still supporting CSAR, the mission focused more on dedicated SOF support to joint forces in combat operations across Iraq. HSC-84’s accomplishments in combat were truly remarkable and unprecedented in the US Navy since the Vietnam War.

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2009 - Recognition and Formalization

Commander SOCOM’s Memo

In 2009, Commander SOCOM commended the community for their achievements and requested the institutionalization of this specialized capability. The Navy responded by signing an agreement to formalize support and re-tasked HSC-85 as a second dedicated SOF support squadron.

As a result of the 2010 Navy-USSOCOM agreement, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron EIGHT FIVE (HSC-85) was re-missioned to focus on Special Operations Support. Only 4 years removed from HCS-5’s prior disestablishment, the new HSC-85 would provide Naval Special Warfare (NSW) aviation lift and support Special Operations Forces (SOF) activities worldwide. As part of the agreement, the renamed ‘Firehawks’ would transition back into the older HH-60H (special operations and CSAR designed) airframes.

990614-N-9977R-001
Aircrew's from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Four (HCS-4) from Norfolk Virginia execute a combat insertion in support of Cope-Thunder 99-4. The three weeks exercise is underway at Eielson Air Force Base in central Alaska. Photo by Photographer's mate First class Anibal Rivera USN.

2016 – 2023 AT ITS APEX,
COMMUNITY SHUTTERED DUE TO SERVICE PAROCHIALISM

Sequester Impact

Amidst acrimonious and hostile budget deliberations in 2014-2015, the Navy was allowed to decommission HSC-84 in March 2016. However, with support from the House Armed Services Committee, HSC-85 was retained, albeit after the Navy had significantly reduced the unit’s personnel and equipment in anticipation of decommissioning.

With HSC-84 gone, USSOCOM and Navy gamesmanship battles over funding and ownership of HSC-85 dragged on. Congress was kept informed by the Firewolf Association and its allies on Capitol Hill. The intense and bitter budget battles from 2017-2020 ensured the survival of HSC-85 until 2023. NDAA language to retain HSC-85 in 2024 did not survive deliberations and the Firehawks were decommissoned 30 September 2023.

It’s important to note, both squadrons were deployed in support of enduring SOF requirements when they had to re-deploy home to decommission. The legacy of HSC-84 and 85 are truly incredible and will most likely never be matched again by a Navy squadron.