HSL-51

Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light FIVE ONE
HSL-51 Squadron Emblem
Active	1991
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Naval Helicopter Squadron
Role	Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) Search and Rescue (SAR) Special Operations (SpecOps)
Part of	Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Pacific Fleet
Garrison/HQ	Naval Air Facility Atsugi
Nickname	"Warlords"
Colors	Red and Black
Engagements	Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom

Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light Five One (HSL-51) "WARLORDS" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Ayase City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Honshū Japan. HSL-51 one of the seven squadrons making up Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Pacific Fleet, based in San Diego and deploys aboard multiple ships in the US Navy's Seventh Fleet based in Yokosuka, Japan.

Leadership

Commanding Officer CDR David Walt

Executive Officer CDR David Loo Command Master Chief CMDCM (AW/SW) John Vallesillo

Mission

The "Warlords" are the US Navy's only forward deployed Sikorsky SH-60B "Seahawk" LAMPS Mk III helicopter squadron. Home ported in Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, the "Warlords" provide combat-ready armed anti-surface and anti-submarine helicopter detachments to ships deploying in the Korean, Western Pacific and Persian Gulf regions, as well as Executive Transport for Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet home ported in Yokosuka, Japan.

The squadron performs a diverse set of multi-role missions with emphasis on:

• Anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
• Anti-surface warfare (SUW).
• Search and rescue (SAR)
• ES (Electronic Surveillance)
• RADAR (Surface-Search Radar)
• Support of Special Operations

Secondary missions include:

• Medical evacuation (MEDEVAC)
• Logistics support.

History

2010 proved to be an outstanding year for the WARLORDS of HSL-51. The squadron continued to excel as the premier LAMPS Mk III (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System) helicopter squadron in the Navy. As the only permanently forward deployed LAMPS Mk III squadron in the world, HSL-51 has time and again achieved a standard of operational and professional excellence superior to other HSL squadrons in the U.S. Navy.

In 2009, seven HSL-51 detachments were underway supporting surface combatants home ported in Yokosuka, Japan. Operations ranged from the Indian Ocean to Perth, Australia. HSL-51 surpassed 114,000 flight hours, completing 18 years of Class A mishap-free operation.

The squadron's SH-60B helicopters were embarked most of the year. Aircraft from HSL-51 participated in many exercises and operations. The detachments flew most in the demanding small deck environment. HSL-51 logged over 3,000 small deck landings, over half of which were conducted in the darkness of night.

   * Recipient of the 2009 COMPACFLT Retention Excellence award.
   * Awarded the 2009 Sikorsky Aircraft "Golden Wrench" Award for Maintenance Excellence
   * Awarded the 2009 CNAP BATTLE "E"
   * Continued execution of Standard Operating Procedures for Joint HSL/U.S. Army Air Cavalry
     Counter Special Operation Forces (CSOF) missions.
   * Achieved the milestone of 114,000 mishap free flight hours.

View of an SH-60B with Mt. Fuji in the background (Mt. Fuji is 55km west of Atsugi NAF.)

Professional excellence is one aspect of Warlord Development. Warlords pride themselves on a dedicated program of civic involvement. 55 HSL-51 members volunteered over 1550 hours of community service through the Navy’s Personal Excellence Partnership (PEP). The squadron supported Shirley Lanham Elementary School with chaperones for various field trips, working parties for improvement projects, teachers’ assistants, and coaches for sports teams. Other activities include:

   * Supported the Camp Zama High School JROTC Unit.
   * Provided Mentors and Chaperones for the Cooperative Education Group.
   * Provided Official Squadron Ball Caps for “Caps for Kids.”
   * Provided volunteers to Terrao elementary school reading program.
 

Warlords demonstrated time and again, exceptional warfare prowess while supporting a demanding, and volatile operational tempo. No squadron in the world could boast a higher morale or be more proud. The success of the squadron was made possible only by the dedication of each individual from the newest Airman to the Commanding Officer.

Squadron Aircraft

UH-3H Sea King

• UH-3H, 1991 - 2006

SH-60 Seahawk

• SH-60B, 1991 - present
• VIP Configured SH-60F, 2005 - present

External links

• Official website

See also

• History of the United States Navy
• List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons