HSM-72

HSM-72 Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven-Two, also known as Proud Warriors is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The Proud Warriors are a part of Carrier Air Wing Seven and deploy aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69).

Mission
The squadron employs the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. Primary missions include Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (SUW), Command, Control, Communications (CCC), Command and Control Warfare (C2W), Mobility (MOB), and Non-Combat Operations (NCO). Secondary missions consist of Search and Rescue (SAR), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS), and Communications Relay (COMREL).

Transition from HSL-42
HSM-72 was established on 15 January 2013 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, when the squadron was re-designated HSM-72 from their previous designation of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Four Two (HSL-42). The change reflected their transition from employing the SH-60B to the MH-60R, as well as from a detachment-based, expeditionary squadron to its realignment in support of a carrier air wing. As part of this transition, then-HSL-42 relocated to NAS Jacksonville from their previous home of Naval Station Mayport.

Awards

 * Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Meritorious Unit Commendation
 * National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal
 * Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
 * Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
 * Battle-E-4th-award.jpg Navy E Ribbon
 * Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award
 * Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy
 * Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy
 * Blue "M" for Medical Readiness
 * CHSMWINGLANT Talon Award