Commodore's Corner Rotary Wing Relevance CAPT Jeffery Melody,USN

Rotary Wing Relevance

By CAPT Jeff “JMel” Melody, Commodore, HSM Wing Pacific

To all HSM and HSC Warfighters, you are laying the foundation for the Rotary Force of the future on your watch. I recently attended Global 13 (G-13) at the Naval War College (NWC) Wargaming Center in Newport, RI. This is a U.S. Pacific Fleet-led wargame series focused on the fight in their pivotal AOR, and was my second Global wargaming event. As opposed to G-11 in August 2019 with over 400 operators, G-13 was much scaled down in scope and focus. But, what was noteworthy in both was the game leads ensured a Navy Rotary Wing representative (me) participated right alongside players from the other Services as well as several three letter agencies. Clearly, Navy Rotary Wing brings essential warfighting value to the fight.

In the past, we have seen some wargames unfold, focused on big picture muscle movements of Component Commanders, CSGs, logistics, and large force strikes, and Rotary Wing (RW) is left out of the picture. Similarly, this lack of recognition has been evident in Numbered Fleet Commander (NFC) OPORD tasking that included RW elements, yet sometimes did not involve a RW representative in planning to better synergize the assets. In my opinion, this tactical oversight is a thing of the past. Look at the Global wargaming series as an example, or look at ASW planning at the NFC level where we have reps at the table (and if we don’t, they call looking for one). Look at every multi-national maritime exercise occurring at any given time around the globe and it is undeniable RW brings warfighting value across all AORs and domains. In G-13, frankly I was impressed by how many participants, uniformed and civilians, came with a solid working knowledge of HSM and HSC, knew we were a foundational element to the plan and did not have to be educated on our capabilities or be continually reminded to include RW.

As I think about this, and reflect on my past three years at HSMWINGPAC, I recall the first-ever Rotary Wing Panel at Tailhook 2018 where CAPT “Jean Luc” Richard stated from his OPNAV N98 RO perspective that “Rotary Wing contributions to CSG operations, and more broadly, DMO, are at unprecedented levels.” This was a bold statement to some, but a very TRUE statement, and one that deserved to be said then and bears repeating now. The level of RW contributions to the protection and sustainment of the CSG and NFC SAGs; be it inner-zone ASW protection, EW/MISR/ SUW collection, information dissemination and F2T2EA, AMCM, SAR and Combat Logistics are at unprecedented levels. This demand signal will only grow larger in the future as we exercise more manned/unmanned teaming, play more in the LVC environment and Fleet Experimentation events, work with the Marine Corps in Expeditionary Advance Basing Operations design, develop our future Helo CONOPS and embark on development of Maritime Future of Vertical Lift.

Warfighters, you will be called on to employ the aircraft as you have trained - count on that. Hardly a week goes by where the Commodores do not receive an update from a deployed unit relaying how during a MISR mission they had to shift fires and pounce on a pop-up PLA(N) submarine near the HVU, intercept a UAS in the Arabian Gulf, execute shortnotice HADR tasking, take down a Low Profile Vessel drug runner with a USCG LEDET sniper embarked, receive less than 48-hour tasking to put a detachment(s) to sea to shadow an out of area deployer, perform as MAC for multi-service and domain assets in Long Range Maritime Strike constructive kills on opportune targets, land on partner nation ships, host foreign delegations interested in buying the H-60 (India begins a $2B contract with the U.S. Navy this June when we begin training a cadre of their pilots and maintainers at HSM-41), and the list goes continues. With the Advanced Data Transfer System and Sys Config 18 coming on-line for MH-60R, our TOFT Sys Configs keeping better pace with the aircraft, Digital MAD Test & Evaluation, the Air Wing Fallon syllabus revision that now includes two weeks of maritime missions in San Diego, Weapons Schools and NAWDC’s Sea Wolf and MISR Departments relentlessly “challenging the assumption” to drive more effective training models, nascent AI/ML work with DIA to enhance MISR and ASW Find-Fix capability and our three years running #1 NARG priority of netted maritime ISR&T to up our game with radar enhancements and digital ESM, you and your machines WILL be even more lethal in the years to come. Strike Group and SAG Commanders truly want to sail only where the area is sanitized and protected by RW. No matter where you operate from, count on being called upon, and train so you deliver swiftly with precision, as you will likely only get one chance to get it done. RW relevance had never been firmer, and you are leading it!

Continue to push the envelope with innovation. The CDREs often quip we would be left in the dust if we were JOs with the likes of you today! We stand in awe of the extreme ownership and mastery you display in not accepting the status quo, and tirelessly driving to enhance lethality by extracting higher fidelity from our existing equipment, and refining and developing TTPs for new or proof of concept environments such as Romeos embarked on LHA/Ds, MCM, Space, EMCON, passive targeting, etc. Continue to treat every initiative as an opportunity to expand out contributions to DMO and re-affirm Rotary Wing relevance.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that Readiness is the lynchpin to our effective employment; and in this metric we take a lot of pride in being NAE leaders in Mission Capable rates. Squadron maintainers do an unbelievable job maintaining our aircraft, and their embracement of new ways of doing business with O-Level Maintenance Management practices is enabling us to start focusing on lethality & survivability FMC drivers. Team, never go a day without walking the shops and the flight line to thank your maintenance professionals.

I’ll close by thanking the Rotor Review Staff and NHA Executive Director, CAPT Gillcrist, USN (Ret.) for having the vision to start the Commodore’s Corner. Commodore Bailey’s inaugural corner last issue was fantastic in illuminating the value proposition of being an NHA Member. Members, especially you incredible JOs, consider this your mission to beat the NHA drum, recruit and inspire your brothers and sisters to become members of the best Naval Aviation professional organization out there!

I am on short final with my time in the seat, and have the honor to pass the baton to CAPT Brannon “Bick” Bickel in June. Most of you know Bick well through his years of leading the community, and with his time as past NHA National President. Congratulations Bick and Family! The Wing is in good hands with you at the helm. It is an absolute honor and privilege to serve with you all!

A U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter prepares to land on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are conducting operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Kassie McDole.