Last modified Wed., January 09, 2008 - 04:59 PM
Originally created Thursday, January 10, 2008

HS-11 returns home for the holidays

By Lt. Amanda Delaney, HS-11 PAO

Members of the HS-11 "Dragonslayers" gather on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) while on their journey home from their recent six-month deployment. Photo courtesy of HS-11

The HS-11 "Dragonslayers" re-turned home Dec. 16 after a six-month deployment on board USS Enterprise (CVN 65). While embarked on board USS Enterprise, HS-11 provided the carrier strike group with a wide range of services, allowing them to complete their mission safely and more efficiently.

During the deployment, HS-11 members supported personnel recovery during a man overboard, provided aerial security for Commander Task Force 158, Iraq's oil platform and offered cover for boarding teams working out of rigid hull inflatable boats.

Michel expressed that HS-11's goal was to meet all operational requirements as dictated by the warfare commanders.

HS-11 accomplished milestones that no other HS Squadron has. They are the first HS squadron to advance the Fleet Readiness Plan sustainment model from theory to reality doing back-to-back combat deployments. During their detachments and deployments, the Dragonslayers have flown more than 7,500 flight hours while conducting combat operations in southern Iraq supporting British ground forces and the territorial waters of southern Iraq protecting the vital oil infrastructure.

,AW2 Brandon Stotts of HS-11, greets his wife, Julie after returning home.

In the last two years, the squadron has operated in the Atlantic, Pacific, and IndianOceans, and the Mediterranean, Red, Arabian, Andaman, South and East China and Philippine Seas.Squadronpersonnel conducted operations or visited the Bahamas, Portugal, Spain, France, Albania, Greece, Djibouti, Oman, Qatar, Pakistan, Kuwait, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Singapore, China, South Korea and Japan. In the United Statesthe squadrondetached to Fallon, Nev. twice and Hurlburt Field in Pensacola.

A Sailor from HS-11 greets his loved one after returning home to NAS Jacksonville Dec. 16.

A Sailor from HS-11 greets his son and wife after returning home from a six-month deployment on boardUSS Enterprise. Photos by MC2(AW/NAC) Kaitlyn Patterson

Family members anxiously await for the helicopters of HS-11 to land at NAS Jacksonville Dec. 16.