24 JanHelicopter squadron celebrates Naval Aviation Centennial
The United States Navy is celebrating a Cent
ennial of Naval Aviation including helicopter usage.
The yearlong celebration kicked off Jan. 20 at Naval Air Station Pensacola. More than 500 people attended the event. According to the Pensacola News Journal, the Navy has planned more than 200 Naval aviation events throughout the country this year. Pensacola—the “Cradle of Naval Aviation”—is hosting more events than any other location.
The Navy’s first flight school was established 97 years ago at Pensacola. The United States Navy marks the beginning of its aviation element as May 8, 1911. It was on that day the service requisitioned its first aircraft.
For one decorated helicopter squadron though, the centennial anniversary will be celebrated at sea.
The “Black Knights” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 will honor the milestone aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. That’s according to a report from Navy Compass on Jan. 20.
HS-4 is homequartered at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.
Command Master Chief Al Lamb, HS-4’s senior enlisted leader was quoted as saying, “It’s unfortunate that we’re not going to be in San Diego for the celebration, but America needs us out there on the front.”
Sailors assigned to HS-4 will celebrate the centennial with the rigorous operations common for a helicopter squadron aboard an aircraft carrier.
HS-4 is known for pioneering the techniques used in retrieving the Apollo capsule recoveries. They participated in the recovery of astronauts from Apollo 8, 10, 12, and 13. The squadron earned the nickname “Black Knights” after achieving around-the-clock, all-weather anti-submarine warfare capability. Throughout the course of its 53-year history, the squadron has been recognized with numerous awards.
After 2011, HS-4 will be disestablished as an anti-submarine warfare squadron and become Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 4.
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