HSM-77 Saberhawks

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Seven (HSM-77) "Saberhawks" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan. HSM-77 is attached to Carrier Air Wing Five and deploys aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73) and air capable ships attached to Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9). The squadron was redesignated from HSL-47 on 2 Apr 2009.

Mission
The squadron's primary mission is to employ the versatility of the MH-60R helicopter to support the battle group commander's objectives, with emphasis on Surface Warfare (SUW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). Secondary missions include Search and Rescue (SAR), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS), and Communications Relay (COMREL). The Saberhawks of HSM-77 fly the newest aircraft in the U.S. Navy fleet, the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, which elevates tactical maritime mission capability to a new level, far surpassing previous fleet capability. With its state-of-the-art avionics, mission systems, and cockpit, the MH-60R is the world’s most capable Naval helicopter. The aircraft features a glass cockpit and significant mission system improvements over the SH-60B, which give the MH-60R unmatched capability as an airborne multi-mission Naval platform. The MH-60R is tasked with performing Anti-Submarine Warfare, Surface Warfare, Over-the-Horizon Targeting (OTH-T) on board aircraft carriers and Navy surface combatant ships.

History
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN SEVEN “Saberhawks” began its illustrious history as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR SEVEN (HSL-47). Established on 25 September 1987 at NAS North Island, the Saberhawks of HSL-47 employed the SH-60B helicopter. Since its inception, the Saberhawks have been at the forefront of helicopter operations in the Pacific Fleet. In 1991, HSL-47 deployed five detachments in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and flew over 2,000 combat, combat support and contingency hours. The Saberhawks also played an integral role in Operation Southern Watch, providing seventeen detachments from 1992-2005. In 1992, Detachment TWO rendered the first assistance to Somali citizens during Operation Restore Hope. HSL-47 deployed the first SH-60B detachment on an aircraft carrier, the USS Constellation (CV-64), in 2001 and 2003. These detachments paved the way for HSL-47 to become the first HSL Squadron to become an integrated part of the Carrier Air Wing. The Squadron joined the Broadswords of Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2) on 1 April 2004. Under the Navy’s Helo CONOPS “Bravo to Sea (B2C)” initiative, HSL-47 led the LAMPS Community’s transition from traditional SH-60B expeditionary operations, to carrier based MH-60R operations.

During its 2004-2005 deployment, HSL-47 became the first LAMPS helicopter squadron deployed in its entirety on board an aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), with the squadron providing LAMPS detachments to the other ships within Carrier Strike Group Nine. HSL-47 detachments operated from the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG-71) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86). Following the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004, HSL-47 and the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group sped to assist the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Arriving on December 31, the Saberhawks flew a total of 1,223 hours, distributing 404,647 lbs of food, 190,246 lbs of water and supplies, and conducting seventy medical evacuations. In support of Hurricane Katrina, HSL-47, conducted 173 rescues and delivered 76,000 pounds of food, water, and medical supplies over nineteen days.

For its 2006 Deployment, two SH-60B Seahawk aviation repairable pack-up kits, including four aviation consumable Vidmar cabinets, were transferred from Naval Air Station North Island, California, to the carrier Abraham Lincoln. This equipment was required to support the second deployment on board the Abraham Lincoln of the SH-60B-To-Carrier Pilot program that assigned the carrier to direct support of squadron HSL-47, a full squadron of SH-60B Seahawk helicopters that would be dispersed throughout the carrier strike group. On 15 April 2006, HSL-47 helicopters and the guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG-59) provided aid to a fishing vessel in distress while operating in the South China Sea. Following the completion of its 2006 deployment, the two SH-60B Seahawk aviation repairable pack-up kits, including four aviation consumable Vidmar cabinets, were returned to Naval Air Station North Island.

On April 2, 2009, HSL-47 transitioned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN SEVEN. The Saberhawks were attached to CVW-2 and the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group and deployed for the first time with the MH-60R.

On 14 May 2012, during its 2012 deployment, HSM-77 Detachment Five completed its temporary operational rotation on board the British replenishment oiler Fort Victoria which was serving as the flagship for Combined Task Force 151. This was the first time that a MH-60R helicopter had ever operated from a Royal Navy ship. The detachment's helicopters primarirly concentrated on anti-piracy surveillance missions during this two-week period.

In early 2013, the squadron executed a homeport change from NAS North Island, California to NAF Atsugi, Japan, completing said homeport change in March of that year. HSM-77 is now part of the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group and Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5).

Squadron aircraft
SH-60 Seahawk
 * SH-60B, 1987–2009
 * MH-60R, 2009–Present (redesignated HSM-77 on 2 April 2009)

Squadron awards

 * 2001 - Battle "E"
 * 2005 - Humanitarian Service Medal
 * 2007 - Battle "E"
 * 2008 - Battle "E"
 * 2010 - Battle "E"
 * 2011 - Battle "E"
 * 2011 - COMPACFLT Retention Excellence Award
 * 2011 - Blue "H" Award
 * 2011 - Blue "M" Award
 * 2011 - CNO Aviation Safety Award
 * 2011 - COMHSMWINGPAC/Sikorsky "Golden Wrench" Maintenance Excellence Award
 * 2011 - Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy
 * 2012 - Secretary of the Navy Safety Excellence Award
 * 2012 - COMHSMWINGPAC/Sikorsky "Golden "Wrench" Maintenance Excellence Award
 * 2012 - Secretary of Defense Phoenix Trophy
 * 2012 - Battle "E"
 * 2012 - COMNAVAIRFOR Admiral J.S. "Jimmy" Thach Award

Ships deployed aboard

 * USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
 * RFA Fort Victoria (A387)
 * USS Cape St. George (CG-71)
 * USS Momsen (DDG-92)
 * USS Sterett (DDG-104)
 * USS Shiloh (CG-67)
 * USS Shoup (DDG-86)
 * USS Antietam (CG-54)