HSC-25 Welcomes Detachment 6 Back to Guam

By Oyaol Ngirairikl, U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas Public Affairs

June 4, 2010 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (NNS) -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 welcomed back Detachment 6 from a six-month deployment during a homecoming ceremony on Guam June 3.

Detachment 6 was embarked aboard USS Essex (LHD 2) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). The 33 returning Sailors assisted the Republic of Korea's salvage of the ROKS Cheonan, which sank March 26 in the Yellow Sea. The detachment flew more than 600 hours to complete more than 350 sorties, while providing search and rescue capabilities for the Navy ships' amphibious operations.

This was also the detachment's first mission flying the MH-60S — an HSC-25 helicopter modified to include a weapons system.

"These maintenance professionals always kept a good attitude, kept the helicopters flying and the detachment mission was an overall success," said Chief Warrant Officer David Harris, maintenance officer for Detachment 6.

Lt. Cmdr. Dewon Chaney, HSC-25 acting executive officer, said the type of support they performed in South Korea enhances relations between the U.S. and allied forces and improves coordination for future missions.

"Our detachments not only portray positive images in the U.S. Navy, but we're also doing a lot of really great things—not only in the local community here, but in the international community," Chaney said. "This detachment in itself was a bunch of superstars. The detachment performed as expected. They were expected to perform really well and they did."

Lt. Christopher Hines, a Detachment 6 pilot, said he is proud to have been a part of a great team.

"Just to be called upon and be able to do your mission and to do it well, that's probably the most rewarding part of being in HSC-25, and, of course, being forward-deployed here on Guam," he said. "Overall, 100 percent success. I couldn't see it going any smoother."

HSC-25 is the Navy's only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron. As part of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific, it provides an armed helicopter capability for 7th and 5th Fleets, as well as detachments to various commands covering a diverse mission set. It is also the Navy's only squadron that maintains a 24-hour search and rescue and medical evacuation alert posture directly supporting U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Guam and Joint Region Marianas.