Mules and War Bears

By LCDR Brian "Frommers" Strong, USN

HSM-60 “Jaguars,” based in NAS Jacksonville, Florida are part of the Naval Air Force Reserve Maritime Support Wing (MSW). As a reserve squadron, HSM-60 delivers strategic depth and surge force capabilities, providing commanders with ready assets to support operational tasking on short notice.

They operate seven MH-60R aircraft and have 190 Sailors, a mix of Training and Administrative Reserve (TAR), Active Duty, and Selected Reservists (SELRES).

HSM-60 is a principal asset for its Operational Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic (HSMWL), sourced to support operational tasking worldwide. As an operational HSM squadron, their primary mission is providing Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), and Electronic Warfare (EW) support to the Fleet, embarking 2 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters on air capable surface ships.

In 2021, HSM-60 was preparing for a scheduled summer 2022 deployment with USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98). Just before New Year’s day, HSM-60 received an order to be ready to deploy from U.S. 2nd Fleet in order to support European Command (EUCOM) theatre operations. With only six days warning, the final order came in to depart on January 17th, 2022.

Despite the limitations of working through a holiday stand down period, the squadron readied a complete detachment, including maintenance personnel and aircrew. Two aircraft and 30 Jaguars departed on Jan 17th onboard USS Forrest Sherman. The Detachment Officer in Charge, LCDR Rich Grant states, “Due to the shortened timeline, each Sailor on this Detachment was hand-picked based on experience and superior performance. The team worked tirelessly during that week, along with crucial Homeguard support, to get their aircraft, personnel, and gear ready to meet the mission on short order. It was truly an all-hands effort over the next three months, resulting in a highly successful deployment in support of the European Command’s request for forces.”

The HSM-60.2 Detachment, newly dubbed the “War Bears,” proceeded to join up with USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) for a Competency Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of Virginia. The ship and air team were faced with a slew of challenges, including the rapid integration into USS Kearsarge ARG’s airplan, along with icing and fog conditions throughout the exercise. Despite the fast pace and dynamic operational flow, the War Bears integrated seamlessly and helped USS Forest Sherman obtain their qualification for deployment.

This exercise flowed directly into a Naval Undersea Warfare Training Assessment Course (NUWTAC) with a U.S. Submarine for two weeks, where HSM-60.2 upgraded their ASW skills to support EUCOM theater operations. Following this training, the “War Bears” and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) proceeded across the Atlantic to the Norwegian Sea.

Shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, the team was tasked to conduct presence operations and power projection with the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) in the Baltic Sea. All operations were de-escalatory in nature, with explicit guidance to remain clear from high threat areas in the southern Baltic Sea.

The “War Bears” successfully completed this underway which extended over 100 days and returned safely to Jacksonville on April 22, 2022. They completed 81 missions (sorties), encompassing 227 mishap-free flight hours in direct support of operational tasking. Upon return, the “War Bears” were provided six weeks to recharge, replenish their gear, and enjoy time with their families prior to departing on the originally planned summer 2022 deployment.

LCDR Ryan McDonough assumed the duties of OIC and Detachment 60.2, newly dubbed “The Mules,” embarked USS Forest Sherman again and departed from Norfolk on June 11th, enroute to the Mediterranean Sea.

The “Jaguars” of Navy Reserve Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 60 Det 2 conducted Initial Ship Aviation Team Training (ISATT) aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98).

The ship chopped back into 6th Fleet on June 20th and shortly after embarked Rear Admiral Michael Sciretta and assumed flagship duties for Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO (SNMG2). This coalition provides NATO with immediate operational response capability, and in the summer and fall of 2022, it was comprised of U.S., Spanish, Turkish, Italian, French, and Greek naval warships.

The Mules participated in numerous exercises and operational tasking with these coalition ships and their embarked helicopters, supporting each other in the ASW, SUW, and EW mission requirements. This included conducting coordinated ASW operations with Turkish and Spanish helicopters.

LCDR Travis Dunn assumed duties as OIC in a planned turnover halfway through the deployment in August 2022. “The Mules” went on to support NATO exercise DYNAMIC MARINER, as well as the Italian exercise MARE APERTO, and Greek exercise NIRIIS. Strengthening the coalition through training and in-port relationship building was a critical part of the mission.

Through the underway period, the detachment made multiple port visits to receive logistical support and conduct aircraft maintenance. Port visits included Gdansk, Poland; Stockholm, Sweden; Aksaz, Turkey; and Split, Croatia. These visits provided the ship and air team time to experience the vast history and proud culture of the European theater. From conducting community relations in Gdansk, packaging clothing and goods for Ukrainian refugees in Poland, to hosting the Swedish dignitaries in Stockholm, the time in port was another opportunity for the U.S Navy to reinforce its global force for good.

In total, the HSM-60.2 deployment period extended 295 days in direct support of the EUCOM RFF and the SNMG2 operational tasking. Returning to Jacksonville, FL on December 23rd, the team had successfully executed 203 sorties, 570 mishapfree flight hours with a 97% sortie completion rate. Their efforts helped maintain a deescalatory presence in the region and supported their operational commanders with critical intel and a clear maritime picture.

Their success extended well beyond the operational achievements. Through hard work and dedication, the detachment was able to complete numerous qualifications and awards to include: three advancements, six Enlisted Air Warfare Specialists, three Collateral Duty Inspectors, one Safe for Flight, and Naval Achievement Medals for LT Sullivan, LT Davis, AE1 Hopper, AO1 Slupski, AD2 Benitez-Lopez, AM2 Walther, PR2 Payne, AT2 Hurst, AT2 Mayne, AZ2 Earles, AO1 Melton, and AE2 Ifezue. Chief Petty Officer Jeremy Shelton relates: “The First Class Petty Officers on the detachment took it upon themselves to help train the Sailors, and it brought us up to a 100% warfare qualified detachment. It really speaks to their level of ownership, accountability and maturity.”

HSM-60 Commanding Officer, CDR Seth “Sweaty” DiNola, praised them for their outstanding achievement, “I cannot be more proud of the HSM-60.2 Team. They have operated at a very high level and have played a critical role in meeting the associated tasking in the European area of responsibility. Their presence in the Eastern Atlantic, the North Sea, the Danish Straits, the Baltic Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea provided stability to those areas throughout 2022. Through all the uncertainty of their operational timeline, the detachment was able to show resilience and resolve to remain focused on the mission. Their commitment to each other and to the HSM-60 Jaguars is a reflection of their American spirit and their commitment to service. They represented CNAFR, the Navy Reserves, and our country with dignity and pride and I am honored to have them on our team.”