HSM-72

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 72 (HSM-72)
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 72 (HSM-72)
	HSM-72 Proud Warriors Insignia
Active	5 October 1984 - present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Navy Helicopter Squadron
Role	Surface Warfare (SUW); Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Part of	CVW-1
Garrison/HQ	NAS Jacksonville
Nickname(s)	"Proud Warriors"
Motto(s)	"Principled, Disciplined, Confident"
Colors	Red and Blue
Mascot(s)	Native American Indian
Engagements	Global War on Terror; Operation Prosperity Guardian; Operation Poseidon Archer
Commanders
Current; commander	Commander John G. Zilai

HSM-72 Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven-Two, also known as Proud Warriors is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The Proud Warriors are a part of Carrier Air Wing One and deploy aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).^[1] The squadron was established as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) Forty Two (HSL-42) on 5 October 1984

Squadron insignia during period of designation as HSL-42

Mission

The squadron employs the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. Primary missions include Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (SUW), Command, Control, Communications (CCC), Command and Control (C2) Search and Rescue (SAR), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS), and Communications Relay (COMREL).^[2]

Transition from HSL-42

HSL-42 was redesignated HSM-72 on 15 January 2013 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The change reflected their transition from employing the SH-60B to the MH-60R, as well as from a detachment-based, expeditionary squadron to its realignment in support of a carrier air wing. As part of this transition, then-HSL-42 relocated to NAS Jacksonville from their previous home of Naval Station Mayport.^{[citation needed]}

History

In late September 2024, HSM-72 and their MH-60Rs departed the US as part of CVW-1 on a scheduled deployment aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).

Following multiple exercises with European militaries, HSM-72 and CVW-1 were ordered to operate in the Red Sea in defense of international shipping lanes and Israel against Houthi/Iran proxy military unit attacks from Yemen. HSM-72 and CVW-1 arrived in the CENTCOM AOR in mid December 2024 with combat operations against the Houthis/Iranians commencing upon arrival to the Red Sea.

Airstrikes were undertaken against the Houthis/Iranians for much of the later half of December 2024 through April 2025. Strikes against the Houthis/Iranian proxy military units in Yemen increased significantly following March 15, 2025, with HSM-72 and CVW-1 conducting increased sorties on a larger set of enemy targets.

Awards

Meritorious Unit Commendation
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Navy E Ribbon
Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award
Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy
Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy
Blue "M" for Medical Readiness
CHSMWINGLANT Talon Award

References

^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "MH-60R". www.lockheedmartin.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2007.

External links

HSM-72 Official Website

[1] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[2] "MH-60R". www.lockheedmartin.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2007.

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