[MilCom] Firehawks of HCS-5 Disestablish at NAS North Island

[airshowfreak5 at aol.com]

Firehawks of HCS-5 Disestablish at NAS North Island
Story Number: NNS061205-06
Release Date: 12/5/2006 2:38:00 PM


By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Margaret A. Peng, Fleet 
Public Affairs Center San Diego

NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) -- More than 500 Sailors, 
former unit members, and family attended the disestablishment ceremony 
Dec. 3 for Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron (HCS) 5 aboard 
Naval Air Station North Island.

The ceremony served to commemorate the past missions of HCS-5 and the 
official end of activities for the specialized Reserve helicopter 
squadron.

"Today we disestablished the Navy's most combat effective helicopter 
squadron of the past 30 years," said Cmdr. Patrick Baccanari, the 
unit's commanding officer.

Established in 1988, HCS-5 was a Naval Air Reserve Squadron under 
Commander, Helicopter Wing Reserve, San Diego, and Naval Air Reserve 
Force, New Orleans. The squadron, which was composed of selected and 
full-time support Reservists, flew the HH-60H Seahawk helicopter 
primarily for combat search and rescue, and to support Sea, Air, Land 
(SEALs) and other special warfare units.

HCS-5, along with its sister squadron, HCS-4, were the only Navy 
squadrons that perform both combat search and rescue and special 
warfare support as their primary missions.

The keynote speaker was former HCS-5 Commanding Officer, Capt. Dan 
Pinkerton, who spoke proudly of the lineage and the history of the 
unit. Pinkerton had served in various division officer tours for 
Vietnam-era Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron (HAL) 5, the precursor 
to HCS-5.

During his speech, Pinkerton saluted all the men and women who had 
served in the unit, past and present. He ended his speech with an 
emotional goodbye and the words, "Born in combat, standing down in 
combat. We did our duty."

The disestablishment is part of the Naval Air Reserve's plan to reshape 
its aviation forces. The "Firehawks" filled a role shared by its sister 
squadron, the Norfolk, Va.-based "Red Wolves" of HCS-4, which also is 
slated to be disestablished.

"This ceremony marks a transition for our Sailors, but we are not 
losing the capability nor the talent of our people," said Rear Adm. 
Jeffrey Lemmons, vice commander, Naval Air Forces. "They will go on to 
serve in other units and keep this mission alive, and their skill sets 
well-honed."

Guests at the ceremony included Sailors from the early days of 
Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3, HAL-5, and HCS-5. Many used this 
opportunity to reunite with old friends and reminisce about the "old 
days."

"I am glad to be here," said Dennis Russell, a former HCS-5 member who 
flew in from El Paso, Texas. "I am lucky to have served with such great 
people."

Some felt the bond to the unit very strongly and got emotional when 
they spoke of their feelings about the disestablishment.

"As a junior Sailor in the unit, I got to work with people who had 
combat experience in Vietnam," said Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 
1st Class Shawn Porter. "They took me in and showed me how to do things 
right. I will never forget them. The experience I gained here will be 
with me for the rest of my Navy career."

Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Richard Sanchez, a member who 
had been with the unit for 15 years, said that this has been the best 
unit he has worked with and they have proved what they can do for the 
Navy.

"I see the same pride and dedication to service in the Sailors today 
that we had during the days of Vietnam. This unit is the best of the 
best," said Aviation Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Mike Dobson, a member 
of HAL-3 "Seawolfs," the grandfather of HCS-5.

Capt. James Iannone, commodore of Helicopter Wing Reserve San Diego and 
New Orleans, summarized his thoughts about the unit after the ceremony.

"When I think of this unit, I think of the words, 'The many have come 
to rely on the few.' These men and women are the proud few who stand 
together and have served whenever and wherever they are called," 
Iannone said.

Earlier this year, the Firehawks received the Navy Unit Commendation 
for exceptionally meritorious service from March 2003 through April 
2004.

During this period, the squadron completed more than 1,700 combat 
flight hours and 900 combat air missions in direct support of U.S. and 
multinational special operations forces in support of Operation Iraqi 
Freedom.

After reading the orders of disestablishment and words of goodbye from 
their commanding officer, the Sailors of HCS-5 were dismissed by the 
executive officer. The Sailors filed out proudly and silently to begin 
a new chapter in their lives.


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