Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Eight (HSM-78) | |
---|---|
Active | 1 March 2012 - present[1] |
Country | United States of America |
Branch | United States Navy |
Type | Navy helicopter squadron |
Role | Surface warfare (SUW) Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) Electronic warfare (EW) |
Size | Approximately 300 personnel |
Part of | Carrier Air Wing 2, Carrier Strike Group 1 |
Garrison/HQ | NAS North Island, California |
Nickname(s) | Blue Hawks |
Motto(s) | Red, White, Blue Hawks! -- The Standard is Excellence! |
Commanders | |
Commanding Officer | CDR Justin "Muffin" Eckhoff, USN |
Executive Officer | CDR David "DT" Terry, USN |
Command Master Chief | CMDCM Erika J. Lavallais, USN |
Aircraft flown | |
Helicopter | Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk |
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN EIGHT (HSM-78) "Blue Hawks" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North IslandinSan Diego, California. HSM-78 was established on 1 March 2012 and is currently assigned to "Team Broadsword" of Carrier Air Wing 2.[2] The squadron operates the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and deploys on ships (aircraft carriers, cruisers, and destroyers) assigned to the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group.
The squadron's Plain Language Address is: HELMARSTRIKERON SEVEN EIGHT
The "Blue Hawks" name dates back to 1977 when the original "Blue Hawks" of Helicopter Attack Squadron (Light) Five were established. HA(L)-5 continued the warrior legacy of Helicopter Attack Squadron (Light) Three (HAL-3) who served courageously during the Vietnam War. The current "Blue Hawks" of HSM-78 continue to grow the legend and the proud heritage of those warriors who went before them.
Number | Name | Dates |
---|---|---|
1 | CDR William H. Bucey, III, USN[3] | 1 March 2012 – 28 March 2013 |
2 | CDR Richard H. Weitzel, USN[4] | 28 March 2013 – 23 June 2014 |
3 | CDR Gregory P. Sawtell, USN | 23 June 2014 – 4 July 2015 |
4 | CDR Matthew R. Barr, USN | 4 July 2015 – 13 October 2016 |
5 | CDR Timothy C. Boehme, USN | 13 October 2016 – 15 January 2018 |
6 | CDR Eddie J. Park, USN | 15 January 2018 – 15 May 2019 |
7 | CDR Eric D. Hutter, USN | 15 May 2019 – 3 September 2020 |
8 | CDR Jeremiah N. Ragadio, USN[5] | 3 September 2020 – 29 November 2021 |
9 | CDR Justin P. Eckhoff, USN | 29 November 2021 – 18 February 2023 |
10 | CDR David R. Terry, USN | 18 February 2023 – 18 April 2024 |
11 | CDR Brian T. Connor, USN | 18 April 2024 – Present |