There are hundreds of US Navy aircraft squadrons which are not currently active dating back to before World War II (the U.S. Navy operated aircraft prior to World War I, but it did not organize them in squadrons until after that war). To be more accurate: there are hundreds of former U.S. Navy aircraft squadrons which have been disestablished and no longer exist[1] and there are approximately 40 or so U.S. Navy aircraft squadrons which have been deactivated[2] and which currently exist only "on paper" in an inactive status. These disestablished and/or deactivated squadrons are sometimes incorrectly referred to as "decommissioned" squadrons, but proper usage prior to 1998, was that squadrons were "established" and "disestablished" and after 1998, squadrons are "established", "deactivated" and sometimes "reactivated". It has never been correct to refer to U.S. Navy aircraft squadrons as being "commissioned" and "decommissioned", ships are commissioned and decommissioned, U.S. Navy aircraft squadrons are not.[3]
The HU designation was the first designation created for Navy helicopter squadrons. It was created in 1948 with the establishment of the Navy's first two operational helicopter squadrons: "Utility" squadrons One and Two (HU-1 and HU-2). In July 1965 the "Combat Support" designation (HC) was created when the three existing "Utility" squadrons (HU-1, HU-2 and HU-4) were redesignated "Combat Support" squadrons.[4] The HC designation was used to designate squadrons whose primary function was either logistics or the provision of utility services with two notable exceptions; HC-7 and HC-9 were Combat Search and Rescue squadrons. In April 2005 all existing HC squadrons but one were redesignated Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) squadrons and the single remaining HC squadron (the second squadron to be designated HC-4) was deactivated on 28 September 2007. Since 28 September 2007 the HC designation exists only as the designation for that single inactive squadron.
HU/HC squadrons were numbered sequentially beginning with HU-1/HC-1 with odd numbers given to Pacific Fleet squadrons and even numbers to Atlantic Fleet squadrons. The jump from HC-11 to HC-16 occurred because HC-16 was originally established by the Naval Air Training Command as HCT-16 to provide Plane Guard services aboard the Naval Air Training Command's training Aircraft Carrier USS Lexington (AVT-16). It was redesignated HC-16 when it was administratively transferred from the Naval Air Training Command to Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet in 1977. HC-85 was a redesignation of the Navy Reserve's HS-85 and it kept its designation number through the redesignation.
The table below does not list disestablished squadrons; it is a list of squadron designations which are no longer in use. Some of the squadron designations in the table belonged to squadrons which have been disestablished, some are former designations of HSC squadrons which are still active, and one is a designation of a currently inactive squadron.
Note: The parenthetical (1st), (2nd), (3rd) etc... appended to some designations in the table below are not a part of the squadron designation system. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and which use of the designation is indicated. Absence indicates that the designation was used only once.
| Designation | Insignia | Nickname | Aircraft[5] | Establishment and Redesignation (if applicable) Dates[6] | Disestablished/ Deactivated as (or current designation) | Disestablished/ Deactivated Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HU-1 | Pacific Fleet Angels | HO3S HTL HUL HUK HUP HO4S/CH-19 HSS/SH-34 HUS/CH-34 UH-2A,B UH-46A RH-3A | HU-1: 1 Apr 1948 – 4 Jul 1965 HC-1: 4 Jul 1965 – 29 Apr 1994 | HC-1 Disestablished | 29 April 1994 | |||
| HU-2 | Atlantic Fleet Angels | HO3S HTL HRP HO4S HTK HUL HUP/UH-25C HSS/SH-34 UH-2A | HU-2: 1 Apr 1948 – 4 Jul 1965 HC-2(1st): 4 Jul 1965 – 30 Sep 1977 | HC-2(1st) Disestablished | 30 September 1977 | |||
| HU-4 | Invaders | HTL/TH-13 HUL/UH-13 HRS/CH-19 HSS/SH-34 HUS/UH-34 | HU-4: 1 July 1960 – 4 July 1965 HC-4: 4 July 1965-Mar 1972 HSL-30: Mar 1972-30 Sep 1993 (same sqdn listed in HSL section) | HSL-30 Disestablished | 30 September 1993 | "Split out" of HU-2 on 1 Jul 1960 | ||
| HC-1 | Fleet Angels | HH-3A RH-3A UH-1B UH-46A,D UH-2A,B,C HH-2C SH-3A,G,D,H CH-53E | HU-1: 1 Apr 1948-4 Jul 1965 HC-1: 4 Jul 1965 – 29 Apr 1994 | HC-1 Disestablished | 29 April 1994 | HC-1 "split out" HAL-3 on 1 Apr 1967 and HC-3, HC-5(1st) and HC-7 on 1 Sep 1967. H-3 FRS 1989-1993 | ||
| HC-2 (first use) | Fleet Angels | SH-34J UH-2A,C HH-2D SH-3G | HU-2: 1 Apr 1948-4 Jul 1965 HC-2(1st): 4 Jul 1965 – 30 Sep 1977 | HC-2(1st) Disestablished | 30 September 1977 | |||
| HC-2 (second use) | (1987) (1994) | Circuit Riders (1987), Fleet Angels (1994) | CH-53E MH-53E VH-3A SH-3G UH-3H | HC-2(2nd): 1 Apr 1987 – 1 Jan 2006 HSC-2: 1 Jan 2006–present | HSC-2 | Not applicable, still active | Adopted the name "Fleet Angels" in 1994 when HC-1 was disestablished. Both HU-1 and HU-2 were nicknamed "Fleet Angels" and both carried the name through their redesignations to HC-1 and HC-2(1st). Adopted the insignia of HC-2(1st) in 1994 at the same time the nickname was adopted. H-3 FRS 1997-2006 | |
| HC-3 | Packrats | H-46 MH-60S | HC-3: 1 Sep 1967 – 1 Apr 2005 HSC-3: 1 Apr 2005–present | HSC-3 | Not applicable, still active | "Split out" of HC-1 on 1 Sep 1967. H-46 FRS 1982–2002, MH-60S FRS from 2002 | ||
| HC-4 (first use) | Invaders | TH-13 UH-13 CH-19 SH-34 UH-34 UH-46A UH-2B HH-2D SH-2D | HU-4: 1 July 1960 – 4 July 1965 HC-4(1st): 4 July 1965-Mar 1972 HSL-30: Mar 1972-30 Sep 1993 (same sqdn listed in HSL section) | HSL-30 Disestablished | 30 September 1993 | |||
| HC-4 (second use) | Black Stallions | CH-53E MH-53E | HC-4(2nd): 6 May 1983 – present (inactive 30 Sep 2007–present) | HC-4 (2nd) Deactivated | 30 September 2007 | Provided Vertical Onboard Delivery (VOD) services to Carrier Battle Groups operating in the Mediterranean Sea | ||
| HC-5 (first use) | Arch Angeles | CH-19E UH-2 SH-3A RH-3A SH-34J HH-2D SH-2D | HC-5(1st): 1 Sep 1967-Mar 1972 HSL-31: Mar 1972-31 July 1992 (same sqdn listed in HSL section) | HSL-31 Disestablished | 31 July 1992 | "Split out" of HC-1 on 1 Sep 1967 | ||
| HC-5 (second use) | Providers | H-46 MH-60S | HC-5(2nd): 3 Feb 1984 – 21 Apr 2005 HSC-25: 21 Apr 2005–present | HSC-25 | Not applicable, still active | |||
| HC-6 | Chargers | UH-43C UH-34D UH-2B RH-3A VH-3A RH-53A H-46 MH-60S | HC-6: 1 Sep 1967-Apr 2005 HSC-26: Apr 2005–present | HSC-26 | Not applicable, still active | "Split out" of HC-4 on 1 Sep 1967 | ||
| HC-7 | Seadevils | UH-2 SH-3A RH-3A UH-34D UH-46A HH-2C HH-3A | HC-7: 1 Sep 1967 – 30 Jun 1975 | HC-7 Disestablished | 30 June 1975 | "Split out" of HC-1 on 1 Sep 1967. Western Pacific (Japan based) utility squadron and Vietnam War Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) squadron | ||
| HC-8 | Dragon Whales | H-46 MH-60S | HC-8: 3 Dec 1984-Apr 2005 HSC-28: Apr 2005–present | HSC-28 | Not applicable, still active | |||
| HC-9 | Black Cats, Protectors | HH-3A | HC-9: 1 Aug 1975 – 31 Jul 1990 | HC-9 Disestablished | 31 July 1990 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron Combat Search and Rescue Squadron established upon disestablishment of active component CSAR squadron HC-7 | ||
| HC-11 | Gunbearers | UH-3H H-46 MH-60S | HC-11: 1 Oct 1977-Apr 2005 HSC-21: Apr 2005–present | HSC-21 | Not applicable, still active | |||
| HCT-16 | Bullfrogs | UH-2C HH-46A | HCT-16: 1 Nov 1974-May 1977 HC-16: May 1977-1 Apr 1994 | HC-16 Disestablished | 1 April 1994 | "Training Support" squadron, provided SAR and Plane Guard services for Naval Air Training Command operations in the Pensacola area | ||
| HC-16 | Bullfrogs | HH-46D UH-1N SH-3D | HCT-16: 1 Nov 1974-May 1977 HC-16: May 1977-1 Apr 1994 | HC-16 Disestablished | 1 April 1994 | Plane Guard squadron for Naval Air Training Command training aircraft carrier, H-46 FRS 1977–1982, HH-1N FRS 1979-1994 | ||
| HC-85 | Golden Gators | UH-3H MH-60S | HS-85: 1 Jul 1970-Oct 1994 (same sqdn listed in HS section) HC-85: Oct 1994-Feb 2006 HSC-85: Feb 2006–present | HSC-85 | Not applicable, still active | United States Navy Reserve Squadron |
The HS designation was created in 1951 to designate Anti-Submarine squadrons[4] and was in use until the last active HS squadron was redesignated to Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) squadron on 1 June 2016. The designation has not been in active use since.
HS designations were numbered sequentially beginning with HS-1 without regard to carrier air group (later carrier air wing) assignment, though; odd numbered designations were given to Atlantic Fleet squadrons and even numbered designations to Pacific Fleet squadrons (the opposite of the HC designation scheme). USNR HS designations were numbered in accordance with the Reserve Carrier Air Antisubmarine Groups (CVSGR) for which they were established for assignment: HS-74 and HS-75 to CVSGR-70, and HS-84 and HS-85 to CVSGR-80.
The table below does not list disestablished squadrons; it is a list of squadron designations which are no longer in use. Some of the squadron designations in the table belonged to squadrons which have been disestablished but some are former designations of HSC squadrons which are still active. There are currently two inactive HS squadrons, HS-75 which was deactivated in 2007 and HS-10 which was deactivated in 2012.
Note: The parenthetical (1st), (2nd), (3rd) etc... appended to some designations in the table below are not a part of the squadron designation system. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and which use of the designation is indicated. Absence indicates that the designation was used only once.
| Designation | Insignia | Nickname | Aircraft | Establishment and Redesignation (if applicable) Dates | Disestablished/ Deactivated as (or current designation) | Disestablished/ Deactivated Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS-1 | Seahorses | HUP HTL TBM HRS HO4S HSS-1 SNB HSS-1N/SH-34J HSS-2/SH-3A SH-3D,G,H VH-3A HH-3A SH-60F | HS-1: 3 Oct 1951 – 30 Jun 1997 | HS-1 Disestablished | 30 June 1997 | East coast FRS | ||
| HS-2 | Golden Falcons | HO4S HSS-1,1N HSS-2/SH-3A SH-3D,H SH-60F HH-60H | HS-2: 7 Mar 1952 – 6 Aug 2009 HSC-12: 6 Aug 2009–present | HSC-12 | Not applicable, still active | |||
| HS-3 | Tridents | HUP HO4S HSS-1,1N HSS-2/SH-3A SH-3D,H SH-60F HH-60H | HS-3: 18 Jun 1952 – 1 Jun 2009 HSC-9: 1 Jun 2009–present | HSC-9 | Not applicable, still active | |||
| HS-4 | Black Knights | HO4S HSS-1 HSS-1N/SH-34J SH-3A,D,H SH-60F HH-60H | HS-4: 30 Jun 1952 – 29 Mar 2012 HSC-4: 29 Mar 2012–present | HSC-4 | Not applicable, still active | |||
| HS-5 | Night Dippers | HSS-1N/SH-34J SH-3A,D,H SH-60F HH-60H | HS-5: 3 Jan 1956 – 24 Jan 2014 HSC-5: 24 Jan 2014–present | HSC-5 | Not applicable, still active | |||
| HS-6 | Indians | HO4S HSS-1N HSS-2/SH-3A SH-3D,H SH-60F HH-60H | HS-6: 1 Jun 1956 – 8 Jul 2011 HSC-6: 8 Jul 2011–present | HSC-6 | Not applicable, still active | |||
| HS-7 (first use) | Big Dippers | HSS-1 HSS-1N/SH-34J | HS-7(1st): 2 Apr 1956 – 31 May 1966 | HS-7 (1st) Disestablished | 31 May 1966 | |||
| HS-7 (second use) | (1969) (1995) | Big Dippers (1969) Shamrocks (1973) Dusty Dogs (1995) | SH-3D,H SH-60F HH-60H | HS-7(2nd): 15 Dec 1969 – 15 Apr 2011 HSC-7: 15 Apr 2011–present | HSC-7 | Not applicable, still active | Adopted name and insignia from disestablished HS-7(1st) | |
| HS-8 (first use) | Eightballers | HSS-1N/SH-34J SH-3A | HS-8 (1st): 1 Jun 1956 – 31 Dec 1968 | HS-8 (1st) Disestablished | 31 December 1968 | |||
| HS-8 (second use) | Eightballers | SH-3D,H SH-60F HH-60H | HS-8 (2nd): 1 Nov 1969 – 28 Sep 2007 HSC-8: 28 Sep 2007–present | HSC-8 | Not applicable, still active | Adopted name and insignia from disestablished HS-8(1st) | ||
| HS-9 (first use) | Sea Griffins | HSS-1N/SH-34J SH-3A | HS-9(1st): 1 June 1956 – 1 Oct 1968 | HS-9 (1st) Disestabished | 1 October 1968 | |||
| HS-9 (second use) | Sea Griffins | SH-3H SH-60F HH-60H | HS-9(2nd): 4 Jun 1976 – 30 Apr 1993 | HS-9 (2nd) Disestablished | 30 April 1993 | Adopted name and insignia from disestablished HS-9(1st) | ||
| HS-10 | Task Masters, War Hawks (1990s) | HSS-1N HSS-2/SH-3A SH-3D,G,H SH-60F | HS-10: 1 July 1960 – present (inactive 12 Jul 2012–present) | HS-10 Deactivated | 12 July 2012 | West coast FRS | ||
| HS-11 | Dragon Slayers | HSS-1,1N SH-3,D,H SH-60F HH-60H | HS-11: 27 Jun 1957 – 1 Jun 2016 HSC-11: 1 Jun 2016–present | HSC-11 | Not applicable, still active | |||
| HS-12 | Wyverns | SH-3H | HS-12: 15 Jul 1977 – 30 Nov 1994 | HS-12 Disestablished | 30 November 1994 | |||
| HS-13 | Sub Choppers | HSS-1 HSS-1N/SH-34J | HS-13: 25 Sep 1961 – 1 Oct 1962 | HS-13 Disestablished | 1 October 1962 | |||
| HS-14 | Chargers | SH-3H SH-60F HH-60H | HS-14: 10 Jul 1984-Jul 2013 HSC-14: Jul 2013–present | HSC-14 | Not applicable, still active | |||
| HS-15 | Red Lions | SH-3G,H SH-60F HH-60H | HS-15: 29 October 1971-Nov 2102 HSC-15: Nov 2012–present (inactive 31 Mar 2017–present) (same sqdn listed in HSC section) | HSC-15 Deactivated | 31 March 2017 | |||
| HS-16 | Nighthawks | SH-3H | HS-16: 10 March 1987 – 1 Jun 1988 | HS-16 Disestablished | 1 June 1988 | |||
| HS-17 | Neptune's Raiders | SH-3H | HS-17: 4 April 1984 – 30 Jun 1991 | HS-17 Disestablished | 30 June 1991 | |||
| HS-74 | Minutemen | SH-3A,D | HS-74: 1 June 1970-Jan 1985 HSL-74: Jan 1985-1 Apr 1994 (same sqdn listed in HSL section) | HSL-74 Disestablished | 1 April 1994 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron | ||
| HS-75 | Emerald Knights | SH-3A,D,H SH-60F HH-60H | HS-75: 1 June 1970 – present (inactive 1 Apr 2007–present) | HS-75 Deactivated | 1 April 2007 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron | ||
| HS-84 | Thunderbolts | SH-3A,D | HS-84: 1 July 1970-Apr 1984 HSL-84: Apr 1984–present) (inactive 30 Jun 2001–present) (same sqdn listed in HSL section) | HSL-84 Deactivated | 30 Jun 2001 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron | ||
| HS-85 | Golden Gators | SH-3A,D,H | HS-85: 1 Jul 1970-Oct 1994 HC-85: Oct 1994-Feb 2006 (same sqdn listed in HC section) HSC-85: Feb 2006–present | HSC-85 | Not applicable, still active | United States Navy Reserve Squadron |
The "Sea Combat" (HSC) designation was instituted April 2005 when the "Combat Support" (HC) squadrons conducting at sea logistics had completed their transitions from the Boeing-Vertol H-46 Sea Knight to the multi-mission Sikorksy MH-60S Seahawk. Beginning in 2007 the "Helicopter Anti-submarine" (HS) squadrons began transitioning to the MH-60S as well relinquishing the anti-submarine role aboard the aircraft carrier to the new "Maritime Strike" (HSM) squadrons. The HSC designation identifies squadrons with the primary functions of Naval Special Warfare support, Anti-surface Warfare, Combat Search and Rescue, and Vertical Replenishment.
| Designation | Insignia | Nickname | Aircraft | Establishment and Redesignation Dates | Deactivated as | Deactivated Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSC-15 | Red Lions | MH-60S | HS-15: 29 October 1971-Nov 2102 (same sqdn listed in HS section) HSC-15: Nov 2012-present (inactive 31 Mar 2017-present) | HSC-15 Deactivated | 31 March 2017 | |||
| HSC-84 | Redwolves | HH-60H | HAL-4: 1 Jul 1976-Oct 1989 (same squadron listed in HAL/HCS section) HCS-4: Oct 1989-Oct 2006 (same squadron listed in HAL/HCS section) HSC-84: Oct 2006–present (inactive 31 Mar 2016–present) | HSC-84 Deactivated | 31 March 2016 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron Operated in a Naval Special Warfare Support role |
The "Anti-submarine Squadron (Light)" (HSL) designation was established in 1972 to designate anti-submarine squadrons which operated the "light" Kaman SH-2 Seasprite helicopter (as compared to the HS squadrons' much larger Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters) in detachments aboard surface force ships as a part of the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS Mk I) program to provide surface ships with a helicopter to extend the ship's sensor and weapons ranges.
HSL designations began at HSL-30 and squadrons were numbered sequentially; even numbers assigned to Atlantic Fleet squadrons and odd numbers to Pacific Fleet squadrons (the opposite of the HS numbering system). The new HSL squadrons established to operate LAMPS Mk III system (Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk) were designated from HSL-40 and continued the even Atlantic and odd Pacific scheme. HSL-74 and HSL-84 were redesignations of the Navy Reserve's HS-74 and HS-84 and they kept their designation numbers through the redesignation. When HSL-94 was established it was designated to fit the pattern HSL-74, 84, 94.
The designation was discontinued in active use in July 2015 when the last HSL squadron was redesignated a Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) squadron. The designation currently exists only in two HSL squadrons which were deactivated in 2001.
| Designation | Insignia | Nickname | Aircraft | Establishment and Redesignation | Disestablished/ Deactivated | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSL-30 | Neptune's Horsemen | SH-2F HH-2D | HU-4: 1 July 1960 HC-4(1st): 4 July 1965 HSL-30: Mar 1972 | Disestablished 30 September 1993 | East coast FRS | ||
| HSL-31 | Arch Angels | SH-2F HH-2D | HC-5(1st): 1 Sep 1967 HSL-31: Mar 1972 | Disestablished 31 July 1992 | West coast FRS | ||
| HSL-32 | Invaders | SH-2F | HSL-32: 17 Aug 1973 | Disestablished 31 January 1994 | |||
| HSL-33 | Seasnakes | SH-2F | 31 July 1973 | Disestablished 29 April 1994 | |||
| HSL-34 | Greencheckers | SH-2F | 27 Sep 1974 | Disestablished 30 November 1993 | |||
| HSL-35 | Magicians | SH-2F | HSL-35: 15 Jan 1974 | Disestablished 4 December 1992 | |||
| HSL-36 | Lamplighters | SH-2F | HSL-36: 26 Sep 1975 | Disestablished 30 September 1992 | |||
| HSL-37 | Easy Riders | SH-2F SH-60B | HSL-37: 3 Jul 1975 | redesignated HSM-37 Oct 2013 | |||
| HSL-40 | Airwolves | SH-60B | HSL-40: 4 Oct 1985 | redesignated HSM-40 Nov 2009 | East coast FRS | ||
| HSL-41 | Seahawks | SH-60B | HSL-41: 21 Jan 1983 | redesignated HSM-41 : Dec 2006 | West coast FRS | ||
| HSL-42 | Proud Warriors | SH-60B | HSL-42: 5 Oct 1984 | redesignated HSM-72 15 Jan 2013 | |||
| HSL-43 | Battle Cats | SH-60B | HSL-43: 5 Oct 1984 | redesignated HSM-73 Feb 2012 | |||
| HSL-44 | Swamp Foxes | SH-60B | HSL-44: 21 Aug 1986 | redesignated HSM-74 9 Jun 2011 | |||
| HSL-45 | Wolfpack | SH-60B | HSL-45: 3 Oct 1986 HSM-75 | redesignated HSM-75 : Feb 2011 | |||
| HSL-46 | Grandmasters | SH-60B | HSL-46: 7 Apr 1988 | redesignated HSM-46 Mar 2012 | |||
| HSL-47 | Saberhawks | SH-60B | HSL-47: 25 Sep 1987 | redesignated HSM-77 2 Apr 2009 | |||
| HSL-48 | Vipers | SH-60B | HSL-48: 7 Sep 1989 | redesignated HSM-48 May 2014 | |||
| HSL-49 | Scorpions | SH-60B | HSL-49: 23 Mar 1990 | redesignated HSM-49 1 Apr 2015 | |||
| HSL-51 | Warlords | SH-60B | HSL-51: 1 Oct 1991 | redesignated HSM-51 7 Mar 2013 | squadron also operated the Sikorsky UH-3H in a VIP transport detachment 1991 - 2006 in support of Commander, Seventh Fleet | ||
| HSL-60 | Jaguars | SH-60B | HSL-60: 1 Apr 2001 | redesignated HSM-60 Jul 2015 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron | ||
| HSL-74 | Demon Elves | SH-2F | HS-74: 1 June 1970 HSL-74: Jan 1985 | Disestablished 1 April 1994 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron | ||
| HSL-84 | Thunderbolts | SH-2F SH-2G | HS-84: 1 July 1970 HSL-84: Apr 1984 | Deactivated 30 Jun 2001 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron | ||
| HSL-94 | Titans | SH-2F SH-2G | HSL-94: 1 Oct 1985 | Deactivated 1 April 2001 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron |
The "Light Attack" (HAL) designation was created in 1967 when HC-1's attack helicopter detachment was established as a separate squadron. In 1988 the functions of the two Navy Reserve Light Attack squadrons were merged with the function of the single Navy Reserve Combat Search and Rescue Squadron (HC-9) the two light attack squadrons were redesignated to "Combat Support (Special)" (HCS). The HCS designation remained in active use until 2006 when one of the squadrons was redesignated to Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) squadron and the other was deactivated.
| Designation | Insignia | Nickname | Aircraft | Establishment and Redesignation | Disestablished/ Deactivated as (or current designation) | Disestablished/ Deactivated Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAL-3 | Seawolves | UH-1B UH-1C UH-1L UH-1M HH-1K | HAL-3: 1 April 1967 – 26 Jan 1972 | HAL-3 Disestablished | 25 January 1972 | "Split out" of HC-1 on 1 Apr 1967. Light Attack Squadron, operated during Vietnam War | |
| HAL-4 | Redwolves | HH-1K | HAL-4: 1 Jul 1976-Oct 1989 HCS-4: Oct 1989-Oct 2006 HSC-84: Oct 2006–present (same squadron listed in HSC section) (inactive 31 Mar 2016–present) | HSC-84 Deactivated | 31 March 2016 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron | |
| HAL-5 | Blue Hawks | HH-1K | HAL-5: 1 Mar 1977-Oct 1989 HCS-5: Oct 1989–present (inactive 31 Dec 2006–present) | HCS-5 Deactivated | 31 December 2006 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron | |
| HCS-4 | Redwolves | HH-60H | HAL-4: 1 Jul 1976-Oct 1989 HCS-4: Oct 1989-Oct 2006 HSC-84: Oct 2006–present (same squadron listed in HSC section) (inactive 31 Mar 2016–present) | HSC-84 Deactivated | 31 March 2016 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron | |
| HCS-5 | Firehawks | HH-60H | HAL-5: 1 Mar 1977-Oct 1989 HCS-5: Oct 1989–present (inactive 31 Dec 2006–present) | HCS-5 Deactivated | 31 December 2006 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron. (The currently active Navy Reserve squadron HSC-85 adopted the Firehawks insignia and nickname in 2011) | |
The HM designation was established in 1971 to designate "Mine Countermeasures" squadrons. It remains in use to the present day. Squadrons were equipped with various variants of the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion
| Designation | Insignia | Nickname | Aircraft | Establishment | Disestablished | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HM-12 (first use) | Sea Dragons | RH-53A RH-53D CH-53E MH-53E | 1 Apr 1971 | 30 September 1994 | "Split out" of HC-6 on 1 Apr 1971. FRS | ||
| HM-14 | Vanguard | RH-53D MH-53E | 12 May 1978 | 30 April 2023 | |||
| HM-16 | Seahawks | RH-53D | 27 Oct 1978 | 2 January 1987 | "Split out" of HM-12(1st) on 27 Oct 1978 | ||
| HM-18 | Norsemen | RH-53D MH-53E | 1 Oct 1986 | 4 March 1995 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron. Personnel and aircraft were integrated into HM-14 upon disestablishment | ||
| HM-19 | Golden Bears | RH-53D MH-53E | 9 Jan 1989 | 5 November 1994 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron. Personnel and aircraft were integrated into HM-15 upon disestablishment |
| Designation | Insignia | Nickname | Aircraft | Establishment | Disestablished | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VX-3 (first use) | Sikorsky HNS-1 Sikorsky HOS-1 HO3S-1 Bell HTL-1 Piasecki HRP-1[7] | 1 July 1946 | 1 April 1948 | "Helicopter Development Squadron" Aircraft and personnel used to establish the first two U. S. Navy operational helicopter squadrons (HU-1 and HU-2) | |||
| HUQ-1 | MQ-8 | 20 September 2012 | March 2014 | "Unmanned Helicopter Reconnaissance Squadron" Established to function as a FRS to train the operators of Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) systems who would then report to HSC and HSM squadrons or other units operating them.[8] [9] Was transitioned into a MQ-8 maintenance organization in March 2014[10] |
Notes
References
Bibliography
Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons