HS-14: Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 14

The HS-14 is a helicopter anti-submarine squadron that is permanently deployed \ aboard the USS George Washington. Currently, the Seahawk HH-60H and the SH-60F are part of the squadron. As members of the Carrier Air Wing FIVE, the HS-14 is under the command of the Helicopter Sea Combat Wing. It’s unique in that it’s the largest squadron of its kind in the United States Navy, with 12 helicopters and 284 officers and enlisted personnel.

The primary mission of this squadron is to detect and destroy small vessels and enemy submarines. Search and Rescue, Special Warfare Operations, and Anti-ship Missile Defense are also important roles for the squadron. Established in 1984 in San Diego, the squadron was initially aboard the USS Ranger. In 1989, HS-14 was an integral part of a rescue operation when they performed search and rescue operations of 37 refugees from Vietnam.

In 1991, the HS-14 had an important role in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Responsible for the capture of four Iraqi commandos, the destruction of two anti-shipping mines, and the destruction of one Iraqi gunboat, the HS-14 showed why this squadron was so beneficial. In 1992, the squadron deployed to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope. One of the operational commanders wrote that the first ten days of the operation would not have been successful without the HS-14.

Permanently assigned to Atsugi, Japan in 1994, the HS-14 would redeploy to Persian Gulf again in 1998 and 1999. By 2002, the squadron was part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. This time the squadron was deployed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. During this deployment, the squadron would be responsible for the recovery of a pilot of downed CVW-5. In 2004, the HS-14 would work closely with the crew of the USS Lake Champlain, the USS Gary, and the United States Air Force Pararescuemen to locate the wreckage of a S-3B Viking that crashed on a very remote island, Kita Iwo Jima. They were able to recover parts of the wreckage and the remains of the crew.

The HS-14 provided humanitarian aid during 2004, when two typhoons struck the Philippines. In 2011, the HS-14 has been conducting ongoing humanitarian aid flights to Japan after the earthquake in March. It is expected that these flights will continue for several months as Japan tries to recover from this tragedy.

If you or a loved one have served in the HS-14, then consider honoring that service with one of the many styles of Navy rings. You can add the logo from the HS-14 Squadron on the side of the ring or even under the semi-precious stone on the top. There are over 100 insignia and emblems available to choose from and placing an order is quite simple. Navy rings give you a chance to honor those who service this country by protecting the seas around the world. Order your Navy ring today and have it shipped anywhere in the world in just a couple of weeks.