Change of Command

HSC - 6 Indians

CDR

CDR Mason Berry, USN

March 28, 2024

HSM-41 Seahawks

CDR Timothy Rogers, USN relieved

CDR Eli Owre, USN

April 11, 2024

HSMWSP Honey Badgers

CDR

CDR Kevin Shikuma, USN

February 15, 2024

HSM-75 Wolfpack

CDR

CDR Matthew Pratt, USN

February 5, 2024

By LT Mikelund Bellomy, USN Squadron Updates

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Six Conducts Change of Command

The Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX (HSC-6) “Indians” conducted a change of command ceremony on the shores of Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California on March 28th 2024.

CDR Robert “Big Daddy” Dalton relieved CDR Mason “Dingle” Berry as the 60th Commanding Officer of the “Indians.” CAPT Thomas Butts, Comanding Offfcer of HSC-3, participated as the guest speaker.

CDR Mason W. Berry is a native of Vineyard Haven, MA and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in General Engineering. Upon graduation, he reported to Pensacola, Fl to begin flight training. In 2006, CDR Berry earned his pilot wings and reported to San Diego for Fleet Replacement Pilot training in the MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter. In 2007, CDR Berry reported for his first sea tour as a member of HSC-25 in Guam. During his tour he deployed three times including two deployments to the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) and one deployment as part of the 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment conducting MEDEVAC operations in Kuwait and southern Iraq. Leaving HSC-25 in 2010, he reported to Fleet Replacement Squadron, HS-10, in San Diego for duty as a flight instructor in the SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk helicopters. In the summer of 2012, HS-10 was decommissioned and merged with HSC-3 where he finished his instructor tour as the NATOPS Officer for HSC-3. CDR Berry reported to USS Green Bay (LPD 20) as the Air Boss in the Spring of 2013. While on board, he oversaw the overhaul of the ship’s flight deck and associated equipment during an extended ship’s availability. Additionally, he was designated the Senior Watch Officer and managed a successful homeport transfer from San Diego, CA to Sasebo, Japan and two subsequent deployments in the 7th Fleet AOR. Upon completion of his tour on Green Bay, he returned to flying and reported to HSC-15 as the Safety Department Head in 2016. In December of 2016, LCDR Berry was re-assigned to HSC-4 after HSC-15 was slated to be deactivated. While a member of HSC-4, he deployed twice with the USS Carl Vinson Strike Group to the Western Pacific and served as both the Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer.

In December 2019, CDR Berry reported to the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C., Strategy Plans and Policy Directorate, as part of the Joint Strategic Planning Team. He moved to the Strategy Development Division and ultimately to Deputy Directorate for Global Integration. His primary responsibilities included overseeing the development of Strategic Opportunities, Global Campaign Plans, and Global Integration Frameworks.

CDR Dalton is an American citizen born overseas in Johannesburg, South Africa. His family moved to Alexandria, VA, in 1994. He is the son of an enlisted U.S. Sailor and grandson of a World War II South African Air Force pilot. He is a 2007 Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets graduate, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Studies, and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Designated a U.S. Naval Aviator in 2009, he is a 2014 U.S. Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School (SEAWOLF) graduate and has flown over 3,200 flight hours.

CDR Dalton’s operational tours include the HSC-9 “Tridents” of CVW-8, stationed in Naval Station Norfolk, VA, deploying on the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77); the HSC-12 “World Famous Golden Falcons” of CVW-5 as the Training Officer, forward-deployed to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, deploying on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); and the HSC-14 “Chargers” of CVW-9 as a Department Head, stationed in Naval Air Station North Island, CA, deploying on the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). He supported Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, INHERENT RESOLVE, FREEDOM SENTINEL, and RESOLUTE SUPPORT.

Ashore, CDR Dalton served as a Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor with the “Savages” of HSC Weapons School, Atlantic, stationed in Naval Station Norfolk, VA, and the U.S. Naval War College at Naval Station, Newport, RI. Commander Dalton is humbled to serve beside the world’s finest warfighters “so others may live.” He is the loving husband of Casey and the proud father of three beautiful children, Grace, Alice, and James.

HSC-6 provides Anti-Surface Warfare, Special Operations Forces Support, Personnel Recovery, Search and Rescue, Vertical Lift, and Logistics capabilities for Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW 17) in support of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and Carrier Strike Group 11(CSG 11) operations.

Address: Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX North Island

P.O. BOX 357106

SAN DIEGO, CA 92153-7106

COMM: 619-545-7106

DSN: 735-7999