HSC-26 DET-1 Key in Persian Gulf Logistics

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

06.28.2007

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Adam Herrada
U.S. Fifth Fleet

MANAMA, Bahrain -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Detachment 1 "Desert Hawks," continue to make headway in their mission operations, making them the backbone in logistical support for U.S. and coalition ships in the Persian Gulf.

The detachment conducts missions to any air-capable ship as necessary. Although Desert Hawks missions are geared toward bringing aid and support to smaller boats, they will conduct operations with and for aviation and amphibious ships. Larger L-Class ships receive their support from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15, Detachment 3.

Since HSC-26's inception in April 2005, mission operations have increased by 70%, according to HSC-26 officer-in-charge Lt. Cmdr. Mike Yesunas. "We have had a 100 percent mission completion rate," said Yesunas.

Deployed pilots and crewmen are on standby 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "These guys work so hard everyday and they are so good at what they do. That is why we have had a 100 percent mission complete rate since the beginning," said Yesunas.

Few pilots and air crewmen are rotated out regularly. "This doesn't affect us drastically. On the contrary, it keeps the group fresh," said Yesunas. "It gives the squadron a second wind."

The majority of those stationed here have served on previous deployments, making it easier for the incoming or outgoing Sailor to share and take away more skills and experience. One of the four Sailors returning home is Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class (AW/NAC) Luigi Caprio.

"It's been a really good deal to deploy out here again. I may not get the same camaraderie here as I would on a ship, but there are other incentives with this deployment. I like having the opportunity of calling home to speak to my wife at the end of the day," said Caprio.

Air crewmen are often faced with situations where split decisions are of the essence - specifically, emergency search and rescue, fast roping, rappelling, and medical evacuation operations to name a few.

According to Caprio, people know what to expect when they come here. Where one mission may be transporting supplies to a ship four hours away and returning back to base, another mission, quite possibly the same day, may entail short-notice search and rescue operations.

The MH-60S Knighthawks' craft holds approximately the equivalent of two full Navy palettes of general shipboard cargo. This room allows a standard four-man flight crew to transport cargo, supplies, passengers, medical equipment, and various other mission-related items.

With three choppers available, missions do not get curtailed. "We have gone days without sleep to finish our job," said Caprio. "Things can go drastic, but you have to stay calm. It's a deployment where you focus only on the mission because it takes precedence over everything," said Caprio.

Like Carpio's parent command of 450 personnel, HSC-26, Det-1 is fully capable of providing the same support to ships throughout Gulf area via vertical replenishment, day or night, regardless of the weather.

Desert Hawk missions vary greatly and require flexibility and situational awareness from the entire squadron. "You never really know what is going to happen next. That's just part of the job, so you just have to adapt. It keeps the entire community on our toes, so we just have to be ready to adjust to any situation that unfolds."

"There are hundreds of things we have to take in to account before a mission, such as wind factors, temperature, gear and equipment, etc. Our aircraft is going to operate different in changing winds and temperature, so weather is really a big deal. It can affect the engines and our crew," said Caprio. "That is not to say we can be affected by heat exhaustion and get sick in the midst of conducting our operations. It's really dangerous sometimes for everybody."

HSC-26 has been conducting logistical and maritime security support missions to naval assets deployed in the Persian Gulf since April 2005.

• Date Taken: 06.28.2007
• Date Posted: 06.29.2007 09:31
• Story ID: 11035
• Location: MANAMA, BH