Focus - Full Spectrum Rotary Wing Seapower HSC Restructure: Resolving Organizational Dissonance through Cultural Alignment By LT Rob “OG” Swain, USN, Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Pacific
“F
ly whatever you want, but don’t fly helicopters.” In 2013, I received this life advice from a trusted mentor. Recognizing the gravity of platform selection, I had reached out to my uncle–a retired Navy Captain who served 27 years in the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE)–and planned to apply his counsel without reservation. As I pen my thoughts on the guidance for the Naval Helicopter Association’s Rotor Review magazine, I am sure readers can infer how well I followed those instructions. Six years of service in the Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Community has provided me the opportunity to analyze what generated this rotary-wing aversion in my fixed-wing flying uncle. Through this reflection, I arrived at three conclusions. First: it has been one of the great privileges of my life to serve in the rotary-wing community. Second: the rotary-wing community faces platform-specific cultural challenges within the NAE. And third: prospective restructure of HSC presents an opportunity to address and resolve twenty years of developed “organizational dissonance.” An organization intended for operations from the sea, but fielded with a helicopter capable of operating as medium lift, with modular weapons systems, readiness requirements spanning from open ocean to high altitude mountain flying, and fueled by an adaptable “get it done” culture enabled institutionalized mission creep in HSC and conflicting, informal community selfidentification. The MH-60S is currently entering “legacy” status and Naval Aviation is readying for Great Power Competition through the development of “Air Wing of the Future.” The effects of these two factors drive an HSC reorganization for the first time since 2001. By not only physically restructuring, but culturally aligning HSC, the organization can take advantage of this watershed moment in helicopter history to not only answer “what we do” but define “who we are.” HSC reorganization poses several unknowns. How will this modify training and readiness (T&R) and the Air Combat Training Continuum (ACTC) Syllabus? How will it affect the HSC Requirements of Capability/Projected Operational Environment (ROC/POE)? How will it impact MH-60S operational availability and employment capacity to combatant Commanders (CCMDs)? Despite the uncertainty, reorganization can affect positive change in HSC culture while validating the questions: “why does HSC exist?” and “what does HSC do?” Community culture critically impacts effective operations and comprises “organizational and individual norms and values.” A community’s ideology provides “explanation of why the organization serves broader and more important purposes. [It] helps members justify to themselves why they are doing what they are doing and help make the case to others.” When an organization executes global and diverse operations, “this requires even greater communication” and coordinating efforts. Understanding the unique challenge of fostering an aligned organizational culture in HSC requires a brief overview of community history.
HSC-28 launches armed reconnaissance to defend the USS IWO JIMA/26th MEU during a Bab-Al Mandeb Strait Transit. Photo by LT Boss
Rotor Review #152 Spring '21
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At the turn of the 21st century, the Navy operated eight different helicopter type/model/series (T/M/S) with specialized missions. The UH-3H “Sea King” flew reserve unit logistics and Distinguished Visitor (DV) flights, the MH-53E “Sea Dragon” conducted airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) and logistics support, and the SH-60F “Ocean Hawk” handled carrier strike group (CSG) plane guard and antisubmarine warfare (ASW). In addition, the HH-60H “Rescue Hawk” launched for CSG plane guard, personnel recovery (PR), and special operations force (SOF) support: the SH-60B “Sea Hawk” executed ASW and limited antisurface warfare (ASUW) aboard cruisers and destroyers (CRUDES), and the SH2F “Sea Sprite” embarked on national scientific ships providing logistics and
