HSM-46 returns from deployment

FromCarrierStrikeGroup10

NORFOLK —The “Grandmasters” of HelicopterMaritime StrikeSquadron (HSM)46returnedhome to NavalAir Station Jacksonville in Florida, April 22, 2023,followinganeight-monthdeployment withCarrier StrikeGroup (CSG)10tothe U.S.SixthFleetareaofoperations.

The Grandmastershavebeen deployed since August10, 2022, as an integrated memberofCarrier AirWing (CVW) 7. The squadronsofCVW-7includethe“Sidewinders” of StrikeFighter Squadron (VFA) 86, the “JollyRogers” of VFA-103, the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136,the “Pukin Dogs” of VFA-143, the“Bluetails” of Command and Control Squadron (VAW)121, the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron(VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers”ofHelicopter Sea CombatSquadron(HSC)5,andHSM-46 HSM-46 deployedcombat elements onboardthe Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USSGeorgeH.W.Bush(CVN77),theTiconderoga-classcruiserUSS Leyte Gulf(CG 55), andthe Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USSFarragut(DDG 99)and USSTruxtun (DDG103).TheirteamaboardtheTruxtun remainsdeployed

During deployment, the Grandmasters participated in anumber of multi-national exercisesandoperationsincluding,Juniper Oak, twoiterationsofNeptune Strike, and Mare Aperto. Theyworked alongside allies andpartnersfromAlbania,Croatia,France Great Britain, Greece,Israel, Italy,Spain and Turkey.These exercisesstrengthened partnerships and enhanced interoperabilityofU.S.andpartnernationmilitaryforces, honing high-end jointwarfightingtactics andtechniques.

TheGrandmastersexecuted2,484sorties totaling6,265 flighthours,and 5,126 deck landings.Theiraircraftandcrewsprovided aroundtheclocksurfacesurveillanceinthe European Theatre,and participated in live submarine tracking operations.All made possible by 80,898 manpowerhours their maintenance team executed to keep 10 aircraftinhigh-performingorder.

The Grandmasters were led by their CommandingOfficer, Cmdr.Jamie “Bogo” Powers,theirExecutiveOfficer,Cmdr.Anne “Bob” Bruckman, and Command Master ChiefCory“MaryPoppins”Ervin “I couldnot be more proud of this group

JACKSONVILLE,Florida(April 22,2023)The Sterling familyposesforas photoasHelicopterMaritime StrikeSquadron (HSM) 46,assignedto CarrierAirWing (CVW) 7,returns toJacksonville,Florida following an eight-month deploymentwith CarrierStrikeGroup (CSG)10,April 22,2023. The squadrons ofCVW-7embarked aboard the George H.W.Bush arethe“Sidewinders”ofStrikeFighterSquadron (VFA) 86,the“JollyRogers”of VFA-103,the“Knighthawks”ofVFA-136,the“Pukin Dogs”ofVFA-143,the“Bluetails”ofAirborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW)121,the “Patriots”ofElectronicAttackSquadron (VAQ)140,the“Nightdippers”ofHelicopterSea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5,andthe“Grandmasters ofHelicopterMaritime StrikeSquadron (HSM) 46.The George H.W.Bush CSGwas deployedtothe U.S.NavalForcesEurope area ofoperations, employedbyU.S.Sixth Fleet to defend U.S.,alliedand partnerinterests (U.S.NAVYPHOTOBYMASSCOMMUNICATIONSPECIALISTMC2MATTHEW RIGGS/RELEASED) of young men and women, who selflessly devoted themselves to serving our great nation,”saidPowers.“Theyaretheone-percentofAmericathatraisedtheirrighthand to defend freedomand democracy around the globe.Though we areall tired following these manymonths away from home, we all will returnwith asenseofprideand resiliency that we will carry for the rest of ourlives.Wegivethankstothosewhohave comebeforeusandshowedustheway,and we givethankstothe unwavering support of our lovedonesand friends on thehomefront.”

TheadvancedcapabilitiesoftheMH-60R enablethe Grandmasters to perform anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare,intelligencesurveillanceandreconnaissance,search and rescue missions,and logisticsupportmissions

George H.W. Bush is theflagship of CSG-10, GeorgeH.W. Bush CSG.CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush,CVW-7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26,the Information WarfareCommander,and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USSLeyteGulf(CG55).

The ships of DESRON-26 completing deployment with CSG-10are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS

Nitze (DDG 94), USSTruxtun (DDG 103), andUSSDelbertD.Black(DDG119).

The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboardtheGeorgeH.W.Busharethe“Sidewinders”ofVFA-86, the“Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103,the“Knighthawks”ofVFA-136,the “PukinDogs” of VFA-143, the“Bluetails” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron(VAW) 121, the“Patriots” of Electronic AttackSquadron(VAQ)140,the“Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and the “Grandmasters” of HelicopterMaritimeStrikeSquadron(HSM)46