Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron FOURTEEN

"CHARGERS"

COMMAND HISTORY

HS-14 was established on 10 July 1984 at Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego California, under the administrative control of Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. HS-14 originally flew the Sikorsky SH-3H "Sea King" Helicopter out of North Island. The Chargers currently fly the Foxtrot and Hotel versions of the SH-60 airframe built by Sikorsky Aircraft. Callsign "Lightning," HS-14 is a member of Carrier Air Wing five, stationed at Atsugi, Japan and attached to the USS INDEPENDENCE. On average, the squadron is manned with roughly 25 officers and technical representatives and 175 enlisted.

The squadron's primary missions is to detect, localize, and destroy enemy submarines while providing over water Search and Rescue (SAR) support to the I-5 (INDEPENDENCE-Carrier Air Wing FIVE) team. Ever vigilant, the Chargers are prepared around the clock. Like the SH-3H, the SH-60F has the additional capacity to provide day or night, all- weather Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), anti-ship missile defense, Vertical Boarding/Search and Seizure, and fleet logistics support. has 27 officers and 174 enlisted personnel.

Originally assigned to Carrier Air Wing Two, the "Chargers" of HS-14 deployed aboard the USS RANGER (CV-61) from 1984 to 1993, which included the USS RANGER's final deployment. In 1991, HS-14 participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and was responsible for the daring capture of four Iraqi commandos on a small island off the coast of Kuwait, as well as the destruction of one Iraqi gunboat and two anti-shipping mines.

The squadron's performance in support of Operation Southern Watch in the North Arabian Gulf and Operation Restore Hope off the coast of Somalia set squadron records in total hours, sortie completion rate, and nearly every other measure of squadron effectiveness. In the North Arabian Gulf extreme heat, the squadron maintained an impressive 98 percent sortie completion rate, and made history by landing the first U.S. aircraft on the deck of a Russian warship, the RNS Admiral Vinogradov, a Udaloy class destroyer. Off the coast of Somalia in the Indian Ocean from the 8th to the 18th of December 1992, the squadron surged to support Operation Restore Hope. Within a span of just 11 days, HS-14 flew 354 hours in 91 sorties, conducted four medical evacuations, transported over 38,000 pounds of material, 434 passengers, and performed an open ocean rescue.

In 1993, HS-14 supported the USS CONSTELLATION during its transit around South America. HS-14's short history is highlighted by two Battle Efficiency Awards (1989 and 1992), four CNO Safety Awards and two consecutive DESRON 7 "Golden Arrow" awards for ASW excellence.

1994 proved to be a watershed year for the Chargers as they simultaneously transitioned from the SH-3 airframe to SH-60 airframe while undergoing a homeport change from San Diego, California to Japan. This unprecedented event took place in record time under the watchful eyes of Commander John G. Steele and Commander Peter M. Hyers. The hectic schedule continued in 1995 as the Chargers immediately got underway with the USS INDEPENDENCE. Spending 221 days at sea, the Chargers performed miraculously, completing over 4200 hours in the air and performing 10 Medevacs, 2 day rescues, and 4 night rescues. From being barely able to crawl in the new airframe the year previously, the Chargers were now taking the HS community lead in developing tactics and Standard Operating Procedures for Night Vision Goggle Usage and detachments on Helicopter Capable Ships.

Commander Peter M. Hyers became Commanding Officer HS-14 in January of 1996 and continues to set the pace for the Chargers with new Executive Officer Commander Edward McNamee.

The "Chargers" are named for the Battle Horses first bred in ancient times by French Kings. Known for their exceptional strength and aggressiveness, these horses led the medieval Knights into battle, overcoming their enemies by sheer force and overwhelming dominance. Displayed in the squadron logo, the Bald Eagle is depicted as the United States symbol of freedom and might while the Lightning Bolt represents the spark of life. The "Chargers" of HS-14 embody the spirit of these symbols it their relentless defense of the aircraft carrier and their support for the Battle Group.

Day and Night, Lightning Strikes!