HSC-22: A Growing Force in Fourth Fleet Operations

By LT Rebecca Atkinson,USN HSC-22.7 AOIC

For 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 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 7 has granted permission to interdict a vessel. This is what makes an HSC LCS Detachment so perfectly suited to the mission. Due to its small size, low aural profile, ZPY-4 radar and BRITE Star Block II sensor, the MQ-8 Fire Scout is the perfect asset to gather the required intelligence to obtain a Statement of No Objection (SNO) needed to conduct AUF and Surface Use of Force (SUF). While the Fire Scout conducts Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) the MH-60S crew is able to thoroughly brief and be ready to launch. When the SNO is granted and the LCS is in position to conduct AUF, the MH-60S can launch providing greater on station time to conduct the interdiction while the Fire Scout remains airborne and gathers intelligence.

HSC-22 continues to conduct successful operations within the 4th Fleet AOR. Det 3 was the first HSC detachment to deploy with MQ-8B on the East Coast in October of 2019. DET 5 conducted the first U.S. Navy AUF disabling fire since 2016, together disrupting a total of 2150 kilograms of illicit drugs worth over $133 million. HSC-22 Det 6 not only provided AUF support, but also conducted HA/DR operations in Honduras in response to hurricanes ETA and IOTA this fall.

USS Sioux City (LCS 11) joins Hurricane Iota relief efforts Nov. 27, in Honduras, deploying its embarked Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 Det. 6 to join Southcom efforts to deliver life-saving supplies.

Earlier this year HSC-22 received its first MQ-8C and looks forward to providing additional capabilities to the AOR. With increasing experience and knowledge, the squadron continues to set the standard for operational success on the East Coast.

HSC-22 VERTREP aboard USNS Comfort