View source for HSM-49

{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49 (HSM-49)
| image= Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49 (US Navy) insignia 2016.png
| image_size = 150
|caption=HSM-49 ''Scorpions'' insignia
|start_date= {{Start date and age|1990|03|23}}
|country= {{flagu|United States}}
|branch= {{Naval|United States}}
|role= [[Anti-Submarine Warfare]] (ASW), [[Anti-Surface Warfare]] (ASuW), [[Search and Rescue]] (SAR), [[Vertical Replenishment]] (VERTREP), Communications Relay (COMREL), and Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS).
|size=
|command_structure= COMHSMWINGPAC
|garrison= [[Naval Air Station North Island|NAS North Island]]
|garrison_label=
|equipment= MH-60R Seahawk ([[Sikorsky Aircraft]])
|nickname= ''Scorpions''
|motto= ''Excellence in all we do.''
|decorations=
|aircraft=
}}
'''Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49 (HSM-49)''' is a [[United States Navy]] Maritime Strike helicopter squadron based [[Naval Air Station North Island]], California.
The ''Scorpions'' of HSM-49 are an operational fleet squadron based at NAS North Island.  Their tailcode is TX and their radio callsign is "Red Stinger".  The squadron provides combat-ready pilots, aircrewmen, technicians, and aircraft to Pacific Fleet warships.  The squadron operates the [[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk|MH-60R Seahawk]] helicopter.
== History ==
[[File:SH-60B Seahawk helicopter HSL-49 Tailbird Point Loma San Diego 2006.jpg|thumb|left|SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from HSL-49 bearing markings making it the "tailbird" near Point Loma, San Diego, CA in 2006.]]
HSM-49 was redesignated on 1 April 2015, formerly being Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 49 (HSL-49). HSL-49 was established on 23 March 1990 as the U.S. Navy transitioned the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light community from the [[SH-2 Seasprite]] to the SH-60B Seahawk.  The ''Scorpions'' first deployed in November 1990 with Detachment 1 embarked in {{USS|Ford|FFG-54}}.
The squadron - then and now - deploys its personnel and aircraft in an expeditionary model.  Detachments are led by an Officer-in-Charge, normally a Lieutenant Commander, and typically deploy with one or two helicopters, and a complement of pilots, Naval Aircrewmen, mechanics and technicians.
Detachments embark [[Arleigh Burke-class destroyer|Arleigh Burke class destroyers]] and [[Ticonderoga class cruisers]] in support of [[Carrier strike group|Carrier Strike Groups]] (CSG), Surface Action Groups (SAG), or independent deployed operations.  Recent deployed detachments have engaged in missions ranging from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), counter-piracy, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR), and Counter-Illicit Trafficking.
[[File:US Navy 090818-N-3659B-305 An SH-60B Sea Hawk assigned to the Scorpions of Light Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HSL) 49 lifts off from the frigate USS Thach (FFG 43).jpg|thumb|left|SH-60B Seahawk helicopter lifts from the [[USS Thach]] (FFG 43) in 2009.]]
== Aircraft ==
Crews from HSM-49 operate the MH−60R Seahawk, a helicopter manufactured by [[Sikorsky Aircraft]] and equipped with two front-drive T700−GE−401C turboshaft engines manufactured by the General Electric Company.  The helicopter has fixed landing gear, an external cargo hook, a rescue hoist, and bomb racks for carrying and launching external stores.  In addition, it is equipped with a [[sonobuoy]] launch system, a Helicopter In−Flight Refueling ([[HIFR]]) system, and the necessary avionics and instrumentation for instrument flight and mission accomplishment.  The helicopter can operate from a variety of naval ships.
HSM-49 transitioned from the SH-60B to the MH-60R variant of the Seahawk in the spring of 2015.
[[File:SH-60B Seahawk TX-104 of HSL-49 landing at NAS North Island (3767982980).jpg|thumb|right|Red Stinger 104 from HSL-49 hovering at NAS North Island in 2009.]]
== Mission ==
The MH-60R is designed to combine the features of the legacy SH-60B and SH-60F airframes. The aircraft includes an Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) package, FLIR, multi-mode radar/IFF interrogator, airborne fleet data link, and a more advanced airborne active sonar. It is not equipped with the [[Magnetic anomaly detector|Magnetic Anomaly Detection]] (MAD) that the SH-60B employed. Pilot instrumentation is provided by a glass cockpit, using digital monitors instead of dials and gauges.
=== Primary Missions ===
In an [[Anti-Submarine Warfare]] (ASW) role, Scorpion aircrews use [[radar]], [[Electronic Support Measures]] (ESM), [[sonobuoys]], and ship sensors to localize, classify, track, and if necessary, attack when a submarine has been detected.  Aircraft can be equipped with various different torpedoes for the mission.
In an [[Anti-Surface Warfare]] (ASuW) role, Scorpion aircrews observe, identify, and localize threat platforms using radar, ESM, and [[FLIR]].  When a suspected threat is detected, data can be provided to the parent ship for surface−to−surface weapon engagement.  Aircraft equipped with Hellfire missiles ([[AGM-114]]) may conduct independent or coordinated attacks.  The MH-60R can also be equipped with the [[GAU-21]] (.50 caliber) and [[M240D]] (7.62&nbsp;mm) crew served machine guns.
[[File:SH-60B Seahawk helicopter SAR jumps 2008.jpg|thumb|right|SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from HSL-49 conducting SAR jumps training in the vicinity of Guam in 2008 while embarked in {{USS|Princeton|CG-59}}.]]
Other enhanced capabilities include an ASE package, FLIR, multi-mode radar/IFF interrogator, airborne fleet data link, and an advanced airborne active sonar.
=== Secondary Missions ===
Vertical Replenishment - In the [[Vertical replenishment|VERTREP]] mission, the aircraft is able to transfer material between ships, or between ship and shore.
Search and Rescue - In the [[Search and Rescue|SAR]] mission, the aircraft is designed to search for and locate a particular target/object/ship or plane and to rescue personnel using the rescue hoist.
Medical Evacuation - In the MEDEVAC mission, the aircraft provides for the medical evacuation of patients.
Communications Relay - In the COMREL mission, the aircraft relays communications between units.
Naval Surface Fire Support - In the NSFS mission, the aircraft provides a platform for spotting and controlling naval gunfire from surface ships.
[[File:SH-60B Seahawk helicopter sunset Point Loma San Diego 2014.JPG|thumb|right|SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from HSL-49 returning to NAS North Island, San Diego, CA in 2014.  Point Loma can be seen clearly in the background.]]
[[File:HSL-49 Squadron Emblem.jpeg|thumb|right|HSL-49 patch from 2002-2015.]]
[[File:HSL-49 original patch.jpg|thumb|right|HSL-49 original patch from 1990-2002.]]
== Unit awards ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Award
|-
| 1995
| Meritorious Unit Commendation
|-
| 1995
| Sikorsky Award (Most improved maintenance)
|-
| 1995
| COMHSLWINGPAC Top Torpedo Award (Outstanding ASW ordnance precision)
|-
| 1996
| Arnold J. Isbell Trophy (ASW excellence)
|-
| 1999
| CNO Aviation Safety Award
|-
| 2001
| Sikorsky Award
|-
| 2001
| COMHSLWINGPAC Top Torpedo Award
|-
| 2002
| Lockheed Martin COMHSLWINGPAC Maintenance Award
|-
| 2003
| Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award
|-
| 2004
| COMHSLWINGPAC Top Torpedo Award
|-
| 2004
| Sikorsky Aircraft Maintenance Award ("Golden Wrench")
|-
| 2008
| Arnold J. Isbell Trophy
|-
| 2008
| CNO Aviation Safety Award
|-
| 2009
| Department of the Navy Safety Excellence Award
|-
| 2009
| CNO Aviation Safety Award
|-
| 2009
| Navy Unit Commendation
|-
| 2010
| CNO Aviation Safety Award
|-
| 2011
| CNO Aviation Safety Award
|-
| 2013
| Sikorsky Aircraft Maintenance Award ("Golden Wrench")
|-
| 2013
| CNO Aviation Safety Award
|-
| 2014
| Department of the Navy Safety Excellence Award
|-
|2014
|Sikorsky Aircraft Maintenance Award ("Golden Wrench")
|-
|2014
|CNO Aviation Safety Award
|-
| 2015
| Meritorious Unit Commendation
|-
| 2016
| Retention Excellence Award
|-
| 2016
| Battle Efficiency (Battle "E")
|-
|2017
|Sikorsky Aircraft Maintenance Award ("Golden Wrench")
|-
|2017
|CNO Aviation Safety Award
|-
|2018
|Sikorsky Aircraft Maintenance Award ("Golden Wrench")
|-
|}
== See also ==
*[[Naval aviation]]
*[[List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)]] / [[List of US Naval aircraft]]
*[[United States Naval Aviator]]
*[[List of United States Navy ratings]]
*[[Military aviation]]
*[[List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]
*[[List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
*NATOPS Flight Manual Navy Model SH-60B Helicopter, A1-H60BB-NFM-000, 1 June 2012.  ''(Unclassified, for official use (FOUO) or administrative, or operational purposes only.  Requests for the document shall be referred to the Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (PMA-299), 47123 Buse Road, Bldg 2272, Patuxent River, MD, 20670-1547.)''
*[http://www.history.navy.mil/insignia/hsl/hsl-i.html Naval Historical Center Website for HSL Squadron Insignia]
*{{cite book|last1=Polmar|first1=Norman|title=The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet.|date=2005|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis|isbn=1591146852|page=383|edition=18th|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8MwyTX-iA2wC&q=HSM-49&pg=PA383|access-date=1 April 2015}}
*{{cite web|title=Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Pacific [COMHELMARSTRKWINGPAC]|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/hslwingpac.htm|website=GlobalSecurity.org|access-date=1 April 2015}}
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130709031945/http://www.hsl49.navy.mil/ HSL-49 Scorpions Website]
*[https://www.facebook.com/pages/HSL-49-Scorpions-Past-and-Present/112456932097861 HSL-49 Scorpions Past and Present Facebook page]
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:HSM-49}}
[[Category:Military units and formations in California]]
[[Category:Helicopter anti-submarine squadrons of the United States Navy]]