Readiness on the rise with HSM-70 'Spartans'

"The MH-60R Seahawk, or 'Romeo' as it's called, combines the capabilities of the SH-60B and SH-60F with sophisticated new cockpit, avionics and mission systems," said HSM-70 Training Officer Lt. Cmdr. Phillip Parmley. "Our operators and maintainers are making great strides to being deployment-ready in early 2011."

Parmley, who counts more than 1,000 flight hours in both the Bravo and the Romeo, was part of the team that stood up HSM-71 - the first west coast Romeo squadron - on Oct. 4, 2007. "To be part of setting up the first east coast HSM squadron is an honor and a challenge," he said.

AWRC Tim Lemmerman drops from an HSM-70 helicopter into the choppy waters of the St. Johns River during a rescue swimmer certification deployment in March. Photo by HSM-70 Public Affairs

Unlike traditional helicopter anti-submarine light squadrons that deploy in separate detachments to smaller ships, HSM squadrons will deploy to an aircraft carrier as part of the carrier air wing. HSM-70's maiden deployment is scheduled as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in 2011.

"We are not yet in our work-up cycle, but we are fully operational and actively pursuing any exercise we can get. We have been to AUTEC (Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center on Andros Island in the Bahamas) many times for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and we also grab any opportunity to work with other squadrons. We also conduct ASW exercises just off the coast with diesel submarines from foreign navies," explained Parmley.

He added that the Romeo's dipping sonar system is effective at longer ranges and can dip deeper than the Foxtrot. The 'glass' cockpit includes four digital displays -two for each pilot - in addition to one display for the sonar operator. The center console includes analogue backup instruments in case of computer malfunctions.

HSM 70's "Romeo" helicopter 702 goes through the wash rack immediately after it lands on the flightline to rinse the salt water off.

"Before we deploy, we must take part in a joint task force exercise (JTFEX) with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group."

JTFEX is high-level exercise to ensure U.S. and coalition forces are interoperable and ready to execute the six core capabilities of the Maritime Strategy - forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster response.

Parmley concluded, "We're scheduled to receive our 11th and final SH-60 Romeo in January 2010 - just in time for the Spartans' first anniversary at NAS Jacksonville."

AMAR Daniela Dale of HSM-70 checks and tests out the seatbelts to make sure they are safe for flight inside the helicopter.

Plane Captain ADAN Ralph Jeudy signals to the pilots of an HSM-70 "Romeo" helicopter 702 to lock the tail wheel while taxiing to a spot on the flightline Oct 21.

HSM-70 "Romeo" helicopter 702 lifts for take off on their flightline that overlooks the St. Johns River.