Features Managing the Hazards: Extreme Cold Weather Helicopter Detachment Operations By LT Patrick “The HOFF” Fonda, USN
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ecember 2022, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 51 (HSM-51) Detachment 1 “Komainu” embarked aboard USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), a guided missile destroyer, home ported at Yokosuka Naval Base, for a routine deployment in the 7th Area of Responsibility. This underway proved exceptionally dynamic, even as the ship/air team routinely operated in the cold, snowy seas near Hokkaido, Japan. Temperatures would typically fall to as low as -15 degrees C. Winter operations in 7th Fleet are historically known to be accompanied with heavy seas and poor weather which test both the ship’s crew and the helicopter detachment. These operations require an emphasis on operating at a world class level with hazard identification and proper risk discussions as key components to successful operations. DDG 115 and HSM-51.1 reinforced existing “all weather operations” capabilities during these operations and identified several lessons learned that other ship/air teams can utilize in their planning and execution phases on future operations. Predeployment Preparations Prior to the underway, the Helicopter Aircraft Commanders (HACs) of HSM-51.1 identified unique risks that the detachment would face for the upcoming deployment and included these in discussions with ship leadership and during the required Initial Ship Aviation Team Training (ISATT) safety briefs. The brief included an in-depth discussion on the need for a team mentality between the ship and air detachment, one that was exemplified in the operational relationship between the ship’s Captain and Detachment Officer in Charge (OIC). Specific lessons learned from historical flight deck mishaps provided talking points to enforce an increased focus on wave hazard plots and ensuring proper channels were open to communicating hazards between the bridge watch team (BWT), Landing Safety Officer (LSO), Helicopter Control Tower (HCO), and the helicopter crews were established early. These discussions also ensured small details were accounted for such as the BWT using the wave hazard plotter for all flight quarters operations and relaying real-time hazards to the LSO and HCO which greatly mitigated the risk of seawater crashing onto the flight deck and causing potential loss of personnel or damage to aircraft. DDG 115 had not had a helicopter detachment onboard for over a year, which although normal for ships completing routine maintenance cycles, is still something that must be addressed during underway workups with proper planning and training, effective and focused leadership, and overall crew motivation and enthusiasm in order to meet the standard required for operations in this AOR. The enthusiasm of the ship’s leadership and crew was a crucial element that would ensure proper risk decisions were made during the upcoming deployment.
Rotor Review #162 Fall '23
LT Patrick “The Hoff” Fonda conducting preflight checks of Warlord 01 engine #1 in a dry suit.
Flight Deck and Aircrew Gear With a projected winter deployment, our Det leadership identified a major concern with the gear our aircrew and maintenance personnel would be wearing on the flight deck. We had to ensure they could safely operate while being exposed to the extreme cold and wet conditions associated with flight deck operations. We identified that the standard flight gear issued to pilots and aircrew, with the exception of aircrew drysuits, would not be adequate enough to protect pilots and helicopter aircrew from the extreme weather. We quickly inventoried all flight gear and ordered the below gear. Pilots and Aircrewmen: 1. Green GORE-TEX pants and jacket 2. Green Fleece jacket liner 3. Green Fleece neck warmers 4. Cold weather GORE-TEX gloves In the aircraft, when flying in sub zero degrees Celsius temperatures or above cold water, pilots and aircrew are instructed to fly with standard issue dry suits; however, aircraft maintainers are not at all accustomed to cold weather. HSM-51 does a good job issuing all maintenance department Sailors blue cold weather jackets, rain gear, thermal underwear and gloves, but these would not be enough for extreme cold weather. Based on previous ship deployments, the HACs requested the use of Orange Stearns Challenger Anti58
