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Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 14
HSC-14 insignia
Active	10 July 1984 – present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Navy Helicopter Squadron
Role	Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) CombatSearch & Rescue (CSAR) Search & Rescue (SAR) Special Operations (SpecOps) Vertical replenishment (VERTREP)
Size	250 Personnel
Part of	CVW-9
Garrison/HQ	Naval Air Station North Island
Nickname	"Chargers"
Mottos	"Day and Night, Lightning Strikes!"
Colors	Blue / Gold
Engagements	Operation Prosperity Guardian Operation Poseidon Archer
Commanders
Current commander	Commander A. Robin "Wednesday" Dirckerson

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 14 (HSC-14) "Chargers" is an aviation unit of theUnited States Navy based atNaval Air Station North Island,California(USA).HSC-14 was established as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 14 (HS-14) in 1984 and was redesignated HSC-14 in 2013. The squadron is equipped with theSikorsky MH-60S Seahawk.

HSC-14 flies the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, an all-weather, day and night multi-mission helicopter. The primary mission of the squadron isAnti-Surface Warfare(ASUW). Additionally, the squadron is trained and equipped to conductSearch and rescue (SAR),MEDEVAC,Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR),Naval Special Warfare operations (NSW), Anti-ship Missile Defense (ASMD) and Fleet Logistics support, includingVERTREP.

HS-14 was established on 10 July 1984 atNaval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California and originally flew the SikorskySH-3H "Sea King" helicopter. Assigned toCarrier Air Wing TWO from 1984 to 1993, the Chargers deployed aboard theaircraft carrierUSS Ranger. In 1989, while deployed off the coast of Vietnam in theSouth 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 inOperation Desert Shield andDesert Storm. During Desert Storm, the Chargers participated in an operation that resulted in the capture of four Iraqicommandos on a small island off the coast of Kuwait. Additionally, HS-14 played an important role in the destruction of one Iraqigunboat and twoanti-shipping mines. In 1992, the squadron deployed in support ofOperation Southern Watch to the NorthernPersian Gulf and to the coast of Somalia in support of OperationRestore 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 toMayport, Florida in four days. The cross-country move was executed to embark on boardUSS Constellation for her transit around South America to San Diego. During this transit, the squadron participated in coordinatedanti-submarine warfare (ASW) with several South American navies.

In October 1993, the Chargers began the transition from the Sea King to theSH-60F Seahawk helicopter. Soon afterward, military downsizing dictated the decommissioning ofHS-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 thenChief of Naval Operations, AdmiralFrank 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 bilateralexercises Foal Eagle andANNUALEX. In 1998, the Chargers madeUSS Kitty Hawk their permanent sea-based home, traveling toHawaii aboardUSS Independence in July for the complicated cross-deck move.

In early 2002, the HS-14 supportedOperation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan by deploying a detachment on board USSKitty Hawk. During this deployment,Kitty Hawk served as a mobile staging base for eliteUnited States Army special operations units. In March 2003, as the situation in Iraq escalated, HS-14 andKitty Hawk received orders to participate in OperationIraqi Freedom. The Chargers were assigned to provide anaval special warfare (NSW) capability to forward operating bases in support ofSEAL operations. The squadron also affected the recovery of aCVW-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 anS-3B Viking fromCVW-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 withUnited States Air ForcePararescuemen from33rd Rescue Squadron, thecruiserUSS Lake Champlain and thefrigateUSS 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 PresidentGeorge W. 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 boardUSNS GySgt. Fred W. Stockham in support of OperationEnduring Freedom Philippines. The overall effort proved to be a success and established the HS community as a leading participant in the globalwar on terrorism. In the first week of December 2004, typhoons Imbudo and Namando struck the Philippines, causing extensive damage. Helicopters of HS-14 provided humanitarian assistance. The squadron was able to provide immediate relief to the most stricken victims of the typhoons and rescue over 100 refugees. At the same time, another HS-14 detachment was deployed on board the guided-missile cruiserUSS Vincennes to support several7th Fleet ASW exercises, operating in conjunction with theJapan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Additionally, the squadron operated a third detachment out of Atsugi, Japan.

After being deployed or detached eleven out of twelve months in 2004, the HS-14 operated fromKitty Hawk 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 destroyerUSS Cushing to operate with Destroyer Squadron 15 in bilateral ASW operations with theSouth Korean Navy.

After some rest and relaxation inHong Kong,Kitty Hawk headed north toward Korea for Operation Foal Eagle. HS-14 spent most of the year deployed and participating in exercises such as Talisman Saber, Orange Crush,JASEX,SHAREM,MULTI-SAIL, and ANNUALEX.

June 2006 marked the start of another eventful summer deployment aboardKitty Hawk for HS-14. Before deploying, HS-14 earned the "Golden Wrench Award" for having the most outstanding maintenance department in the airwing. This marked the third time the Chargers had taken home the award, more than any other squadron in CVW-5. With maintenance operating at full potential and the flight crews ready to fight, the Chargers were ready to start the cruise.

The deployment began with a short port call toOtaru, Japan, a suburb ofSapporo on the Japanese island ofHokkaido. After Otaru,Kitty Hawk'sCarrier Strike Group Five joined up withCarrier Strike Group Nine, led byUSS Abraham Lincoln, and theUSS Ronald ReaganCarrier Strike Group, along withMarine Corps, Air Force, and various foreign militaries for the largest operation in over a decade,Valiant Shield. This exercise involved more than 30 ships, 280 aircraft, and 22,000 sailors, marines, and airmen, and focused on the strike groups' ability to maintain a very robust air strike schedule while being attacked by multiple submarine and surface threats. HS-14 performed incredibly, scoring many simulated torpedo attacks on the American, Australian, and Singaporean attacking subs, while allowing almost no attacks against the carrierKitty Hawk.

While defending the carrier from simulated submarine attacks, HS-14 also had a dedicated Combat Search and Rescue detachment working out of Guam. This detachment focused on joint operations withHS-2 while conducting NSW insertions and extractions. The detachment also gave the crews a chance to learn different techniques when operating in low light, tactical environments. HS-14 worked with several other units from different services and countries during the remainder of the year. Further exercises included "Allies in the Outback", ANNUALEX, and an Atsugi CSAR Detachment.

In 2007, HS-14 sent a four helicopter detachment toKadena Air Base on the island of Okinawa, Japan to practice weapons employment and terrain flying. The crews were able to take advantage of the area's weapons ranges and fired twoAGM-114 Hellfire missiles and three Mk 46 practice torpedoes. Additionally, HS-14 practiced joint operations with multiple commands and services. HS-14 practiced anti-submarine warfare tracking and attacking techniques with theP-3C Orion aircraft fromPatrol Squadron 4. HS-14 was also able to practice fast roping, rappelling, and High Altitude Low Opening and static-line paradrops with the 1st of the1st Airborne Rangers, U.S. Army. The320th Tactics Squadron also worked with HS-14 practicing similar techniques.

Kitty Hawk, began another deployment in May, making stops inGuam,Sydney,Brisbane, Guam again, andKuala Lumpur. HS-14 participated in multiple exercises during the deployment, including Talisman Saber, Valiant Shield, and Malabar 2007. During a port call inMuroran, Northern Japan, in October, HS-14 detached twoHH-60Hs and four aircrews toMisawa Air Base for FLIR/Hellfire training. The detachment rejoinedKitty Hawk prior to ANNUALEX 19G, the naval portion of a larger U.S./Japanese exercise. Following the exercise, Carrier Strike Group Five made international headlines when it was denied entrance to the port of Hong Kong for theThanksgiving holiday. HS-14 returned to Atsugi in early December.

HS-14 began 2008 with another weapons detachment to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, beginning in early February. The detachment used four helicopters to fire Hellfire missiles, drop torpedoes, and conduct ASW, CSAR, NSW, and close air support (CAS) training with Marines, Air Force, and Army personnel.

Detachment "B" joined the guided missile destroyerUSS Lassen in January 2008 and conducted independent operations until March. HS-14's main body embarked aboardKitty Hawk forsea trials in March, followed by workups in April, including a port call at Hong Kong. Detachment A embarked aboard the guided missile cruisersUSS Shiloh andUSS Cowpens from February through May. Carrier Strike Group Five left Yokosuka in May, markingKitty Hawk's final departure from Japan. Detachment A rejoined the main squadron aboardKitty Hawk for this cruise, while Detachment B returned to NAF Atsugi. The strike group visited Guam in June, then proceeded to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

At the end of the port call, HS-14 Detachment A "Misfits" debarkedKitty Hawk and embarked aboard the guided missile frigateUSS Rodney M. Davis as its air department for exerciseRIMPAC 2008. HS-14 Det. A conducted intensive ASW operations in a separate surface action group, providing support as a "pouncing" aircraft, as well multiple logistics flights in support of the ship. HS-14's main body aboardKitty Hawk provided similar support to Carrier Strike Group Five.

Following RIMPAC,Kitty Hawk proceeded to San Diego as the carrier was replaced byUSS George Washington. Before arriving in San Diego, HS-14 providedVERTREP forKitty Hawk's ammunition offload. The squadron moved over 900 loads in two days.

CVW-5 flew offKitty Hawk for the final time off the coast ofCalifornia on 6 August. HS-14 provided photographic platforms for the flyoff, then flew off toNaval Air Station North Island on 7 August. When HS-14 landed at North Island that morning, it marked 14 years since the squadron was forward deployed to Japan. AfterKitty Hawk tied up at NAS North Island, CVW-5 immediately began crossdeck operations required to establish itself aboardGeorge Washington. For two weeks in August, HS-14 was divided betweenKitty Hawk,George Washington, andHS-4's squadron spaces ashore.

George Washington pulled out of San Diego with CVW-5 embarked on 21 August. HS-14 flew aboard that afternoon, and following a Blue Water Certification and workups over the next couple weeks, the aircraft carrier began its trek west. The following month consisted of heavy flight operations for HS-14, to get CVW-5 and theGeorge Washington Air Department working together as a cohesive team.George Washington arrived at Yokosuka on 25 September.

2008 Fall Cruise began on 30 September. HS-14 left a CSAR detachment back aboard NAF Atsugi for the month of October. Along with Detachment B, the composite detachment managed to qualify several pilots and aircrew in CSAR Syllabus. HS-14's main body continued to provide ASW and SAR service toGeorge Washington as the Strike Group visitedPusan, South Korea, and Guam. Following the Guam port visit, Detachment A left the ship to embark the guided-missile cruiserUSS Cowpens, while Detachment B departed Japan aboardUSS Lassen. Both ships joined theGeorge Washington Strike Group for ANNUALEX 20G, an exercise involving US and Japanese surface, subsurface, and air units. During the exercise, HS-14 provided round the clock ASW coverage, withGeorge Washington-based helicopters covering days and detachment helicopters covering nights. The squadron scored numeroussubmarine kills, helping to validate the detachment concept. HS-14 and CVW-5 returned to Atsugi on 21 November, marking nearly nine months of underway time for the air wing in 2008.

During the 2009 Summer Deployment HS-14 participated inTALISMAN SABRE 2009. While the main body of HS-14 supported the air wing on the West coast of Australia, Detachment Bravo, on the destroyerUSS Mustin conducted continuous ASW missions in support of multinational operations. In conjunction with two permanent Detachments, the Chargers sent a temporary detachment toDarwin, Australia to work withAustralia Special Forces. As the Summer Deployment wound down, HS-14 celebrated both their 25th birthday on 10 July marking 25 years of service and 50,000 hours Class "A" mishap free.

During the Fall Deployment (October – November 2009), HS-14 flew over 500 additional Class "A" mishap free hours. While Chargers on boardGeorge Washington worked ASW forTalisman Sabre, Detachment Bravo conducted actual ASW operations tracking a RussianOscar-class submarine. For the squadron's unequaled performance in its primary mission areas of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASU) they were awarded with the 2009 Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for Anti-Submarine and Anti-Surface Warfare Excellence.

From 19 February to 5 March, HS-14 sent a detachment toKadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan. During this detachment the squadron flew over 250 hours enhancing their readiness for the 2010 Deployment.

HS-14 andHSL-51 conducted humanitarian flights over Japan since 11 March 2011 as part ofOperation Tomodachi fromNaval Air Facility Misawa.^[1]

In March 2013, HS-14 left Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) at NAF Atsugi, Japan, and conducted a permanent duty station change toNAS North Island. HS-14 transitioned to theMH-60S Seahawk helicopter and was redesignated Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron FOURTEEN (HSC-14) in July. HSC-14 is currently assigned toCarrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) which deploys aboardUSS John C. Stennis.

HS-14 celebrated over thirteen years and 50,000 mishap-free flight hours in August 2009. The squadron's impressive history is highlighted by many awards including

• Navy Unit Commendation Medal – 1991 (OPERATION DESERT STORM), 1998 (USSIndependence (CV-62))
• Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal – 1989, 1994, and 1996 while attached toCVW-2,USSRanger (CV-61), and theUSSIndependence (CV-62) Battle Group
• Seven Battle Efficiency Awards – 1989, 1992, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, and 2010
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal – 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1998, 1999, and 2003
• Joint Meritorious Unit Award – 1993
• Humanitarian Service Medal – 2001 (USSGary (FFG-51))
• Southwest Asia Service Medal -1991
• Nine Chief of Naval Operations Safety Awards – 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2006, and 2010
• Two consecutive DESRON SEVEN "Golden Arrow" Awards
• Nine Arnold J. Isbell Awards for ASW and ASUW excellence – 1993, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2010
• Admiral John S. Thatch Award for ASW excellence – 2003
• ThreeCVW-5 Maintenance Excellence "Golden Wrench" Awards – 2nd Qtr. 03, 2nd Qtr. 04, 4th Qtr. 04, 1st Qtr. 06

• History of the United States Navy
• List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• Carrier Strike Group Eleven

• CVW – 5 Completes 2003 Cruise
• HS-14 Provides ASW Support to Kitty Hawk during Valiant Shield 2006
• A Brief History of USS Kitty Hawk
• CVW-5 To Arrive at NAS North Island^{[permanent dead link]}
• HS-14 wins 2004 Battle "E"
• HS-14 'Chargers' Celebrate Silver Anniversary
• HS-14 Official Website
• HS-14 History
• CVW-5 Official Website

• Helicopter anti-submarine squadrons of the United States Navy
• Helicopter sea combat squadrons of the United States Navy

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