Inside Scoop: HC-4 to be deployed in combat operations

[ChuckMK23]

In what can only be said to be a stroke of genius and opportunity for the Navy Helo community, HC-4 based at Sigonella will NOT be decomissioned - as is currently being reported.

Instead, Navair Tiger teams at this very moment are preparing the 12 MH-53E's based at NAS Sig for inland combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan! Apparently the need for these heavy lift aircraft is so high, that it was deemed important enough to drop the logistics support role that these aircraft usually fly.

Aircrew are currently undergoing training for combat operations, the aircraft are receiving quick fix kits of GAU-21 ramp mounted .50 cal machine guns, and ALE-47 missle warning/countermeasure suite. It looks like ballistic seats and armor are in the package as well. NVG's will be standard fare.

This is a great opportunity for Naval Aviation and Navy rotary wing! God bless these guys/gals as they prepare for war!

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Nice. I love watching that helicopter fly.

 

[nittany03]

Dang. I have to admit I've always found the 53 a kicka** bird. I'd hate to be on the recieving end. Lock and load!

 

[gregsivers]

Everytime one of those comes into land at NASCC I always stop what I'm doing to watch. I'd love to fly the 53 if I select helos, its such a beast.

 

[phrogdriver]

This is going to be quite a kick in the butt for HC-4 to go from "follow father to the ship for PMC" to doing tactical missions. I wonder how they are going to do. There are a lot of skill sets that no one in that squadron is going to have. I am curious whether they are going to have some Marine augment pilots and crew.

I suspect they'll probably be more employed in Afghanistan. The heavy lift and long range make the 53 a long-ball hitter up there.

 

[Gatordev]

Phrog, that was exactly my reaction. This isn't really new news for some of us, as we have buds that we've heard from in that squadron. But it is funny that they pick the one squadron, pretty much in the whole helo community, that isn't NVG/ACTC qualified. Hell, I've probably done more ops w/ SEALs and operators and such, and I never went to the Gulf!

 

[skidkid]

Yup going to be a steep learning curve. They will probably have escorts but being escorted is a learned skill as well. I would bet on some green side sh!tter pilots heading there to help out

 

[BigIron]

No Marine Augments. Fully mod'd birds w/ ASE gear. Prev-qual'd 53 pilots on NVDs (other platforms...mostly H-60s) who underwent some 53 specific training with at least 3 USMC units. These folks are ready to rock and I am fully confident they will hit the ground running. Training as we speak (write).

 

[skidkid]

Sounds good, bet the Sh!tters love the idea of one more squadron in the rotation.
And now is the point where we stop talking about ASE suites-OPSEC and all.

 

[jai5w4]

Very, very cool. Didn't see this one coming, but it makes sense.

Thanks for the update.

jai5w4 :icon_smil

 

[ChuckMK23]

The CO of HC-4 and I were nuggets H2P's together, made HAC together, etc. He went on to a number of joint tours I understand with USSOCOM down in Tampa and Ft Bragg - and apparently has been a huge advocate for the Navy. He's a sharp guy and a hell of a leader - I'm guessing his folks will have all the training, toys, and operational support they need to be successful.

This one will bear watching!

 

[BigDeckDriver]

So did HC-4 move back stateside or does this new mission mean they can keep their homeport at Sig? I want to go to Italy!

 

[Cyclic]

They are not decomissioning, they are moving to Norfolk. The 53 on the pic is from HM-15 while they were doing tsunami relief, they have a 4 aircraft det in the Gulf.

All 60 qualed pilots in that squadron are prior HM and 53 HC pilots that transitioned to H-60S either for TPS, VX or FRS shore duty then some went on to HSC squadrons to man AMCM...(hasn't happened yet) they got drafted back to 53's because of NVD qual and there are very few of them, including their future CO.

All HM and HC are NSW capable, it's part of the T&R and is normal to train often with Marine RECON and SEAL units, that's not new. All of the DH's and Super JO's in HC-4 went through HMT-302 in MCAS New River when the FRS was there back then, we just didn't get NVD qualed. HC-4 has been in the daytime mix for a long time they've just been thrown in the middle of it now full blown (that'll be Iraq) they'll get an HM prior Marine 53 very senior guy too, they lack the experience but they'll gradually ramp it up, as well as the 60S guys being sent to work with the Army for Dust Off.

All their aircraft are being upgraded, but all 53's have armored seats.

 

[bobbybrock]

Just curious about the H-60 guys coming to Dust Off. I'm an Army H-60 type and heard something about it but haven't seen it happen yet. If they come to theater they will get some great experience.

 

[kb8018]

So HC-4 is moving back to Norfolk and will det out overseas for their new role? Just curious, because as it stands, if you get HC-4 out of Advanced right now, it shows a homeport of Norfolk. I'd love to pick 53's, and would love it even more if they stayed in Sicily. Any more insight would be sweet. I'm still a few months from completing, but just curious about what's going on with this.