Today, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Atlantic (HSMWINGLANT) carries on a long tradition of support to Atlantic Fleet Navy helicopter squadrons operating from NAS Jacksonville. Helicopter Antisubmarine Wing One was established on April 1, 1973, at NAS Quonset Point, R.I., and was relocated to NAS Jacksonville on Dec. 15, 1973. Later this wing will split to support the NAS Jacksonville based Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadrons (HS) and be redesignated as Helicopter Antisubmarine Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (HSWINGLANT) with a mission to train and support carrier-based HS squadrons who will conduct all-weather, multi-sensor anti-submarine warfare (ASW), comprehensive overwater search and rescue (SAR), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and logistics support missions for all types of Atlantic Fleet units.
At Naval Station Mayport, a second wing stood up to support the Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) squadrons assigned to Naval Station Mayport and was designated as Helicopter Antisubmarine (Light) Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (HSLWINGLANT). HSLWINGLANT was redesignated at Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic upon the transition of HSL squadrons from the SH-60B to the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter.
NAS Jacksonville was the home base for fleet squadrons HS-3, HS-5, HS-7, HS-9, HS-11, HS-15, and HS-17. These squadrons first operated the SH-3 Sea King before transitioning to the H-60F/H in the 1990’s. Also flying from Jacksonville was the Fleet Replacement Squadron HS-1 and a Navy Reserve Squadron HS-75.
In the 2000’s the east coast Navy HS squadrons were transitioned to the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter and were reassigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Once transitioned, the HS squadrons were redesignated as Helicopter Sea Combat squadrons (HSC) and were permanently relocated to Naval Station Norfolk.
By 2015 all east coast HSL squadrons at Mayport completed the transition from the SH-60B Seahawk to the updated MH-60R Maritime Superiority Helicopter. Upon this transition, some HSL squadrons previously assigned to Naval Station Mayport were designed as Helicopter Maritime Superiority squadrons (HSM) and were relocated to NAS Jacksonville.
Four of the HSM squadrons located at NAS Jacksonville are assigned to a carrier airwing for deployment on board Navy ships in a carrier strike group. The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter is an advanced multi-mission Navy helicopter primarily used for ASW, anti-surface warfare, electromagnetic warfare and command and control. And like all helicopters, the MH-60R is capable of SAR, logistics missions, and naval surface fire support.
There are currently five HSM squadrons based at NAS Jacksonville – HSM-46, HSM-70, HSM-72 and HSM-74 are active duty airwing squadrons and HSM-60 is a Navy Reserve squadron. All helicopter squadrons at NAS Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport report to HSMWINGLANT which remained at Naval Station Mayport and deploy on Atlantic Fleet aircraft carriers and air capable naval ships.
For more information about each individual squadron go to:
HSM-46 "GRANDMASTERS"
HSM-60 "JAGUARS"
HSM-70 "SPARTANS"
HSM-72 "PROUD WARRIORS"
HSM-74 "SWAMP FOXES"