The “Firehawks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 gathered in 1920s-themed attire to celebrate the holidays at the Admiral Baker Golf Course on Naval Base Coronado, Dec. 3.
For the majority of “Firehawks,” this holiday party was unlike any they’d seen as it was the first time they celebrated together without feeling the absence of “Firehawks” on deployment.
HSC-85’s most recent detachment returned from a six-month deployment out of Kadena, Japan, Sep. 29. The homecoming marked only the second time all “Firehawks” have been stateside since their first deployment in 2013, with only a small break in 2018 to transition from the HH-60H to the MH-60S.
During the deployment, the detachment flew 161 sorties and 509 flight hours, primarily in support of special operations forces (SOF). HSC-85, a Navy Reserve squadron, has operated as the Navy’s only SOF-dedicated squadron since the decommissioning of the HSC-84 “Red Wolves” in 2015.
“We participated in [Combat Search and Rescue Exercise (CSARTE) 2022] in Osan, Republic of Korea, in late March to early April,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mark Trask, who served as the detachment’s assistant officer in charge (AOIC) for the early months of the deployment. “It’s an exercise run by the U.S. Air Force 25th Fighter Squadron to work in U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, and Korean aviation assets to build an overall CSAR exercise for the peninsula of Korea.”
“In May, we were asked to support a presidential movement when President Biden visited Korea,” Trask continued. “We were given 72-hour notice to move three helicopters and our maintenance personnel from Kadena to work out of Seoul Air Base.”
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Page, who turned over with Trask as AOIC for the deployment’s latter half, explained that the squadron’s unique ability to move with minimal logistics support allowed the detachment to participate in a wide variety of exercises and training evolutions.
“There aren’t really any fleet squadrons comfortable or practiced in putting everything on the back of a C-17 or dealing with putting things on C-130s, then going and flying,” said Page. “In the span of seven months, we did two movements to Korea, one to Atsugi, Japan, and ultimately, our redeployment home.”
“Certainly, there were a lot of headaches with doing so many movements,” said Trask, “but I think it only added to our Sailors’ motivation because we were invited to support the exercises and events we did because of the recognition of our caliber. When the movement is over, and you recognize and communicate what the team accomplished, there’s a huge sense of pride.”
The pride of the “Firehawks” not only comes from their unique mission and capability, but also from their strong sense of heritage.
“The genesis of this unit starts with HAL-3 Seawolves, established April 1, 1967,” said Chief Naval Aircrewman Helicopter Keith Holt. “They were the Navy’s first dedicated SOF support squadron in Vietnam. My first senior chief here was trained by the guys of HAL-3. We have such a strong heritage here, and he passed it down to me, and I pass it down to my guys. We welcome the ‘Seawolves' here. We have ‘Seawolf’ memorabilia. When the ‘Seawolves’ do reunions, they do it here.”
The “Firehawks” have taken several opportunities to honor their heritage and connection to the “Seawolves.”
In early October, HSC-85 escorted HAL-3 veterans for “Honor Flight.” “3 ‘Firehawks’ accompanied the ‘Seawolves,’” said Holt. “They met them at the terminal, went to Washington D.C. and visited Arlington National Cemetery with them.”
As HAL-3 never got their welcome home after being disestablished while still in Vietnam, HSC-85 held a welcome home celebration for them in the HSC-85 hangar on Naval Base Coronado in 2020 with as many “Seawolves” as were able to attend. The hangar is still home to the ceremony’s “welcome home” sign today.
HSC-85’s most recent homecoming, with Sailors in flight suits and working uniforms cheering alongside family and friends holding signs and radiating excitement, is a testament to the squadron’s unique appreciation for the value of celebrating a safe return home.
As the “Firehawks” relax and enjoy the holidays at home with their loved ones, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (CNAFR) reflects on the hard work, dedication and commitment to mission HSC-85 Sailors have shown during their most recent deployment and those over the past nine years.
CNAFR mans, trains and equips the Naval Air Force Reserve in order to provide enduring operational support and strategic depth to Navy forces that win in combat.
Rear Adm. Richard S. Lofgren serves as the Acting Chief of Navy Reserve and Acting Commander, Navy Reserve Force. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for Navy Reserve personnel and operations worldwide, supporting the readiness and integration of Reserve forces across the fleet. A Surface Warfare Officer, Rear Adm. Lofgren brings extensive operational and command experience across maritime expeditionary, coastal riverine, and surface warfare missions, including service in senior leadership roles supporting U.S. naval operations in multiple geographic combatant commands. His career reflects a sustained commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and the effective employment of Navy Reserve forces in support of national security objectives.
Rear Adm. Luke Frost is a Surface Warfare Officer with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across the fleet. He has served in senior command roles at sea and ashore, including command of major surface combatants and amphibious forces operating throughout the Central Command and Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility. As a Flag Officer, Rear Adm. Frost served as Director, Reserve Warfare (OPNAV N0959) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he provided oversight and strategic guidance for Reserve force integration and readiness. His career reflects a deep commitment to warfighting excellence, joint operations, and the effective employment of naval forces in support of U.S. national security objectives.
Rear Admiral John Saccomando is a Naval Aviator with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across both active and reserve components. He has served in multiple senior command and flag assignments supporting naval aviation, expeditionary operations, and installation readiness, including leadership roles within U.S. Fleet Forces and Naval Air Forces Atlantic. A combat-experienced aviator, Rear Adm. Saccomando brings deep expertise in joint operations, force integration, and operational readiness, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing naval capabilities and supporting U.S. national security objectives worldwide.
Rear Adm. Greg Emery is a Navy Reserve flag officer with extensive leadership experience across naval oceanography, intelligence, and information warfare. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has served in a wide range of operational, command, and staff assignments supporting global naval and joint operations, including senior leadership roles within Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Rear Adm. Emery brings deep expertise in intelligence integration, operational support, and information warfare, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing decision advantage and mission readiness across the fleet.
Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Navy Reserve, advising on the readiness, welfare, and professional development of approximately 59,000 Reserve Component Sailors supporting Navy, Marine Corps, and joint operations worldwide. A seasoned Command Master Chief, she brings extensive experience across aviation, expeditionary, and information warfare communities, with senior enlisted leadership assignments at the unit, regional, and force levels. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to Sailor advocacy, operational readiness, and the effective integration of Navy Reserve forces in support of national defense objectives.
Command Master Chief Lyons brings extensive operational and shore-based leadership experience across aviation, logistics, manpower, and readiness organizations within the Navy Reserve enterprise. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2016, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at Navy Operational Support Center Pearl Harbor, Navy Personnel Command, Maritime Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command. An Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is recognized for sustained excellence in leadership and readiness, earning multiple personal, joint, and unit awards throughout his career.
Command Master Chief Louvier enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1997 and brings extensive aviation maintenance and readiness leadership experience across multiple Fleet Logistics, Strike Fighter, Helicopter, and Reserve aviation commands. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2015, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at VR-56, Commander, Tactical Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. An Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy and multiple executive leadership programs and has earned numerous personal and unit awards for sustained excellence in leadership and mission readiness.
Master Chief Jerry E. Dotson was born in Garden Grove, California, and raised in Sacramento. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 29, 2002, and completed recruit training and Electrician’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois. His career spans operational, reserve, aviation, and senior enlisted leadership assignments, and he currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve.