Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Fourteen - Command History

Command History

HS-14 was established on 10 July 1984 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California and originally flew the Sikorsky SH-3H "Sea King" helicopter. Assigned to Carrier Air Wing TWO from 1984 to 1993, the Chargers deployed aboard the USS Ranger (CV-61). In 1989, while deployed off the coast of Vietnam in the South China Sea, HS-14 participated in one of the largest rescue operations ever by a deployed helicopter squadron when they rescued 37 Vietnamese refugees who were trapped aboard a foundering boat.

In 1991, HS-14 participated in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During Desert Storm, the Chargers participated in an operation that resulted in the capture of four Iraqi commandos on a small island off the coast of Kuwait. Additionally, HS-14 played an important role in the destruction of one Iraqi gunboat and two anti-shipping mines. In 1992, the squadron deployed in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH to the Northern Persian Gulf and to the coast of Somalia in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE. In December 1992, the squadron surged to support the first eleven days of Operation RESTORE HOPE with such determination and efficiency that the operational commander wrote, "without HS-14, the first ten days of RESTORE HOPE simply could not have happened."

In May 1993, the squadron moved 175 men and women, seven aircraft, and all their support equipment from San Diego to Mayport, Florida in four days. The cross-country move was executed to embark on board the USS Constellation (CV-64) for her transit around South America to San Diego. During this transit, the squadron participated in coordinated ASW with several South American navies.

In October 1993, the Chargers began the transition from the Sea King to the Seahawk helicopter. Soon afterward, military downsizing dictated the decommissioning of HS-12, a sister squadron in Japan. For HS-14, this meant an accelerated transition schedule and training program to complete a homeport change to Atsugi, Japan by October 1994. The squadron's progress in this endeavor was rewarded with a personal visit from then Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Frank B. Kelso.

HS-14 executed back-to-back deployments to the Persian Gulf in 1998 and 1999, participating in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. Additionally, the squadron began its annual participation in the bilateral exercises FOAL EAGLE and ANNUALEX . In 1998, the Chargers made the Kitty Hawk their permanent sea-based home, traveling to Hawaii aboard the USS Independence (CV-62) in July for the complicated cross-deck move.

In early 2002, the Chargers played a role in supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan by deploying a detachment on board USS Kitty Hawk. During this deployment, Kitty Hawk served as a mobile staging base for elite U. S. Army special operations units. In March 2003, as the situation in Iraq escalated, HS-14 and Kitty Hawk received orders to participate in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. The Chargers were assigned to provide an NSW capability to forward operating bases in support of SEAL operations. The squadron also affected the recovery of a CVW-5 strike fighter pilot who was downed in hostile territory.

After returning from the Persian Gulf, HS-14 participated in several training and operational deployments, including the historic PULSE EX 2004. This exercise represented a shift in naval policy from set "work-up" periods and deployment schedules to a rapid-responding, surge capable force. During PULSE EX the Navy deployed six carriers simultaneously around the world to demonstrate the projection of power available under the new doctrine. It was during this deployment that an S-3B Viking from CVW-14 crashed on the remote and rugged island of Kita Iwo Jima. HS-14 deployed two Seahawks within three hours to Iwo Jima to conduct search and recovery operations. Working closely with USAF Pararescuemen (PJs) from the 33rd RQS, the USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN and the USS GARY, HS-14 was able to locate the wreckage, salvage parts of the aircraft and return the remains of the Viking crew. This accomplishment was noted in a personal letter from President Bush to the wife of one of the fallen aviators.

In the fall of 2004, an HS-14 detachment deployed two HH-60H helicopters on board the USNS GySgt. Fred W. Stockham (T-AK-3017) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Philippines. The overall effort proved to be a success and established the HS community as a leading participant in the Global War on Terrorism. In the first week of December 2004, typhoons Imbudo and Namando struck the Philippines, causing extensive damage. The Chargers quickly transitioned from a special operations role to that of humanitarian assistance providers. The Chargers were able to provide immediate relief to the most stricken victims of the typhoons and rescue over 100 refugees, providing them critical medical assistance. At the same time, another Charger detachment was deployed on board the guided-missile cruiser USS Vincennes (CG-49) to support several 7th Fleet ASW exercises, operating in conjunction with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Additionally, the squadron operated a third detachment out of Atsugi, Japan, completing an unprecedented operational commitment for an HS squadron.

After being deployed or detached 11 out of 12 months in 2004, the Chargers were back aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) in January 2005, operating off the southeast coast of Japan. In February 2005, the squadron deployed for routine training operations in the Okinawa Fleet Operations Areas. Simultaneously, HS-14 deployed a one-plane detachment and 18 personnel to the USS Cushing (DD-985) to operate with DESRON 15 in bilateral ASW operations with the South Korean Navy.

After some rest and relaxation in Hong Kong, Carrier Strike Group Five, led by the carrier Kitty Hawk, headed north toward Korea for Operation Foal Eagle. HS-14 remained busy for the rest of 2005, spending most of the year deployed and participating in exercises such as Talisman Saber, Orange Crush, JASEX, SHAREM, MULTI-SAIL, and ANNUALEX.