New aircraft makes debut

The aircraft arrived after a two-day flight from the Lockheed Martin System Integration plant in Owego, N.Y. NAS Jax Executive Officer Cmdr. Ellis Bowler and members of the squadron manned the flight line to welcome the new aircraft.

HSM-70 Maintenance Officer Lt. Cmdr. Paul Will piloted the aircraft with co-pilot Lt. Cmdr. Chris Moyer from the Defense Contract Management Agency. Aircrewmen included AWR1 Wesley Goodwin and AD2 Christopher Gurley.

First MH-60R Seahawk arrives Jan. 13 at NAS Jacksonville. HSM-70 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Scott Walsh greets HSM-70 Maintenance Officer Lt. Cmdr. Paul Will who piloted the squadronÕs first aircraft from Owego, N.Y. (From left) Co-pilot Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Moyer, AD2 Chris Gurley, Walsh and Will. Photo by ATAA Adam Thomas

"This is the first of 11 aircraft HSM-70 will receive over the next year as the Spartans continue the establishment process. The arrival of Spartan number 700 marks a milestone in becoming an operational squadron," said HSM-70 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Scott Walsh. "It will be the centerpiece of our formal establishment ceremony scheduled for Feb. 12 at Hangar 117."

The MH-60R (known by aviators as the "Romeo" variant) is a key component in the Navy Helicopter Master

Plan. As the rotary wing fleet transitions to just two helicopter variants the MH-60R and MH-60S the Romeo will eventually replace the SH-60B and SH-60F variants of the Seahawk. As the Navy's premier littoral combat helicopter, the Romeo's array of high-tech sensors and weapon systems capabilities will make it a force multiplier in today's dynamic operational environments.

The MH-60R's primary missions are anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. The squadron will deploy aboard a single carrier battle group, including cruisers, destroyers and littoral combat ships.

Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Moyer (right) from Defense Contractor Management Agency at Lockeed Martin Systems in Owego, N.Y. discusses the arrival of the new MH-60R Seahawk Jan. 13 with NAS Jacksonville Executive Officer Cmdr. Ellis Bowler. Photo by ATAA Adam Thomas

Carrier battle group helicopter squadrons, like HSM-70, will operate from NAS Jacksonville. Current SH-60B expeditionary squadrons located at NS Mayport will also transition to the MH-60R over the next eight years.

Since March 2008, the "plank owners" of HSM-70 have worked diligently to prepare all facets of the squadron to commence flight operations. With the arrival of its first aircraft, the Spartans' focus now shifts to operational training. The Spartans are slated to deploy with Carrier Air Wing Eight on the inaugural cruise of the recently commissioned aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-78).