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New Navy Helo Squadron HSM-78

strikehawk

strikehawk

Charter Member
Today I had the unique and rare opportunity and honor to attend the commissioning of HSM-78 at NAS North Island. I and a few squadron mates, including four former CO's, from HAL-5 the Bluehawks were in attendance to the birth of HSM-78 Bluehawks. Having seen the demise of HAL-5 in 88 I would have never believed that I would ever see that name on a Navy helo unit again. Our namesakes made sure we knew how much it meant to them that we showed up and it felt like we were all long lost uncles come home to visit. You could actually see and feel how close the crew is and we had everyone from jr enlisted to the officers and Chiefs come up and thank us for being there. All the while I was congratulating them on the commissioning.

Even though I'm old school Navy, I was impressed by this new generation, but they still look to young, or am I just getting too old? Anyways, it was a Fine Navy Day and anytime you can go to an active flightline and tell sea stories to a new audience is a good day. You just have to remember what stories you can't tell anymore.
 
strikehawk said:
Today I had the unique and rare opportunity and honor to attend the commissioning of HSM-78 at NAS North Island. I and a few squadron mates, including four former CO's, from HAL-5 the Bluehawks were in attendance to the birth of HSM-78 Bluehawks. Having seen the demise of HAL-5 in 88 I would have never believed that I would ever see that name on a Navy helo unit again. Our namesakes made sure we knew how much it meant to them that we showed up and it felt like we were all long lost uncles come home to visit. You could actually see and feel how close the crew is and we had everyone from jr enlisted to the officers and Chiefs come up and thank us for being there. All the while I was congratulating them on the commissioning.

Even though I'm old school Navy, I was impressed by this new generation, but they still look to young, or am I just getting too old? Anyways, it was a Fine Navy Day and anytime you can go to an active flightline and tell sea stories to a new audience is a good day. You just have to remember what stories you can't tell anymore.
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Strikehawk, just wait a few more years and then you won't have that problem....:icon_lol:

Romeo-Delta
 
A great day for the Navy and for all you hold hands!

I'm sure it was rather meloncholy to see the new generation take the reins and move out.
 
Jagdflieger said:
A great day for the Navy and for all you hold hands!

I'm sure it was rather meloncholy to see the new generation take the reins and move out.
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Not really melancholy, same name but different mission and airframes. Everyone involved in the unit were greeting us like long lost uncles. We had four of our old Skippers there as well as three Chiefs, everyone except me were HAL-5 Plank Owners. The HSM members seemed genuinely happy to see us there. We were also mentioned in the remarks by the CAG and incoming CO. Afterwards I was watching the AOs remove a display Hellfire from their H-60 and was really impressed that they at this early stage were working as if they had done the evolution together all their lives. If their load crew is like that then the rest of the unit will live up to their name and set the standard and I think that they know that the Original Bluehawks are watching and pulling for them.

Having seen the demise of both the HAL-5 Bluehawks and HCS-5 Firehawks, it was gratifying to see both of those names flying in the Navy in the span of a year. Knowing also that the Bluehawks of HSM-78 wish to continue HAL-5's traditions is icing on the cake. HHSC-85 is a little different in that they still have Original Firehawks already so our traditions there have been somewhat maintained as well as them picking up HCS-5's original mission.
:salute: :guinness::salute:
 
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