HSC-2

"HC-2" redirects here. For the squadron designated HC-2 prior to 1977, see HC-2 (1948-1977).
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO
HELSEACOMBATRON TWO
(HSC-2)

Two of HSC-2's MH-60S helicopters
Active 1 April 1987 - present
Country  United States of America
Branch United States Navy
Type Navy Helicopter Squadron
Garrison/HQ Norfolk
Nickname(s) "Fleet Angels"

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO (HELSEACOMBATRON TWO or HSC-2) (previously Helicopter Combat Support Squadron TWO (HC-2)), also known as the "Fleet Angels" (previously the "Circuit Riders"), is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Station Norfolk operating the Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk. The Fleet Angels are a Fleet Replacement Squadron providing trained MH-60S crew to units on the East Coast.

History

Two HC-2 helicopters: A VH-3A (behind) and SH-3G (foreground) at Oceana in 1991

The squadron was established as Helicopter Combat Support Squadron TWO (HC-2) on 1 April 1987 from components of several helicopter squadrons, including HC-6, HM-12, and HS-3.[1] They originally were nicknamed the "Circuit Riders" but adopted the name Fleet Angels from the previous the earlier HC-2, the lineal predecessor of HU-2, one of the U.S. Navy's first two helicopter squadrons, which had been disestablished on 30 September 1977 after thirty years of service. In the early days of the squadron, they operated the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King in UH-3H and UH-3H(ET) versions, as well as the Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon.[2]

HC-2 provided detachments to the Persian Gulf in 1990 and 1991 in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, conducting search and rescue, medical evacuation, and prisoner transportation flights, as well as assisting in the search for naval mines and providing other assistance to the fleet.

Civilian assistance was rendered in the aftermath of Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd during which two members of the squadron would be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for their heroism in rescuing stranded people in North Carolina. Unit citations received over the years have included both a Battle Efficiency Award and a Meritorious Unit Commendation as well as the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award in honor of more than 60,000 flight hours without an accident.[2]

The venerable H-3 was finally retired from the squadron in 2006 and replaced with the Navy's new multi-role combat support helicopter, the MH-60S Knighthawk. In recognition of this transition, the Navy redesignated the squadron as HSC-2 on 1 January 2006 as one of the service's first Helicopter Sea Combat Squadrons. In addition, the unit was officially nominated as the East Coast Fleet Replacement Squadron for the MH-60S.[2]

Aircraft

Aircraft operated by HSC-2 and HC-2 include (bold indicates active aircraft types):

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 2 (United States Navy).

References

  1. ↑ "Navy Aviation Squadron Lineage List" (PDF). Naval History & Heritage Command.
  2. 1 2 3 "HSC-2 'Fleet Angels'". seaforces.org. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
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