Last modified Wed., January 31, 2007 - 04:45 PM
Originally created Thursday, February 1, 2007

HS-75 disestablishing after 36 Years

By Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Hanke, HS-75

Next month will mark the end of a 36-year service to the fleet as HS-75 disestablishes. The squadron will hold a disestablishment ceremony on their final drill weekend, Feb. 25, and the official disestablishment date is March 1.

Established June 1, 1970, the "Emerald Knights" have been stationed at NAS Lakehurst, N.J., NAS Willow Grove, Pa. and currently NAS Jacksonville. The squadron has flown the SH-3D, SH-3G, SH-3H, UH-3H, SH-60F and HH-60H helicopters. Currently HS-75 has six SH-60F Seahawk helicopters. The primary missions for the squadron include anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue and logistical support. HS-75 is the only Naval Air Reserve HS Squadron and is under the command of Commander, Helicopter Wing Reserve and Commander, Naval Air Reserve Force.

HS-75 employs 26 officers and 160 enlisted personnel. More than half of the squadron members are Selective Reservists who maintain their proficiency through scheduled drills and annual training periods.

The Emerald Knights were some of the first naval helicopters to respond in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Deploying four helicopters and six crews to NAS Pensacola and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), HS-75 crews rescued 143 people. A HS-75 crew also rescued the crew of a civilian rescue helicopter that crashed during Katrina rescue operations.

Additionally, HS-75 spent more than 100 days in the last year supporting fleet and training command carrier qualification operations on board Atlantic fleet aircraft carriers. HS-75 is particularly proud of their running total of more than 59,000 flight hours and 28 years without a Class A mishap.

All former Emerald Knights are welcome to attend the ceremony and should contact the squadron's administration department at 542-4495 for more details.