Squadron Updates HSC-22: A Growing Force in Fourth Fleet Operations By LT Rebecca Atkinson,USN HSC-22.7 AOIC
Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Beard, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet
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or the past year and a half, HSC-22 has been executing operations within the 4th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR), deploying small detachments of 25 personnel onboard Freedom Class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). During this time, HSC-22 has set the standard for composite detachment operations in 4th Fleet and highlighted the squadron’s effectiveness in the Counter-Illicit Trafficking (CIT) Mission. HSC-22’s primary role while in the 4th Fleet AOR has been Airborne Use of Force (AUF) while embarked on LCS. This mission incorporates U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDETS), consisting of small boat teams, Airborne Precision Marksmen (PM-A), and AUF Controllers capable of interdicting vessels suspected of illegal narcotics trafficking. Due to the unique design of the ship, HSC LCS Detachments man and train much differently than traditional HSC Detachments. A typical LCS Detachment consists of 25 personnel: five pilots, four aircrewmen, one Maintenance Chief, and 15 maintainers, with one MH-60S and one MQ-8B. Pilots and aircrewmen are not only required to qualify in MH-60S ACTC Missions, but also obtain tactical Rotor Review #152 Spring '21
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proficiency in the MQ-8 ACTC Syllabus. Additionally, they must complete the Coast Guard’s AUF Syllabus. With only 15 maintainers it is necessary that each is qualified to work on both Type/Model/Series (T/M/S) aircraft. The additional levels of qualifications lead to small detachments with a robust level of knowledge flexibility. Due to their small footprint, LCS Detachments are tight knit and have the capability to flex to any situation. All gear and personnel can be packed up and transported to wherever they are needed in just a few days. This has been demonstrated by HSC-22’s Spring 2019 trip to NAS Point Mugu, CA, in which one MH-60S, two MQ-8Bs, all maintenance equipment for two T/M/S aircraft, and 35 personnel loaded into a C-5 Galaxy and traveled across the country in one day. Prior to Initial Ship and Aviation Team Training (ISATT), Advanced Phase and deployment, LCS Detachments must regularly conduct similar evolutions to embark onboard their LCS at Naval Station Mayport. HSC-22 is uniquely suited to conducting AUF due to its ability to employ two T/M/S aircraft simultaneously. CIT heavily relies on all assets remaining covert until Coast District
