History

History

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX (HSC-6) transitioned from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron SIX (HS-6) and commissioned on July 8, 2011.

HS-6 was established on June 1, 1956 aboard USS PRINCETON (CVS 37) midway between the islands of Formosa and Okinawa. Initially, the squadron flew the HO4S Chickasaw, but two years later transitioned to the HSS-1N Seabat and gained a new mission, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). In April 1960, the squadron joined Carrier Anti-Submarine Group FIVE THREE aboard USS KEARSARGE (CVS 33). In March of 1962 the squadron again changed aircraft when Sikorsky's SH-3 Sea King entered the fleet. The Sea King, incorporating upgrades over the years, would take HS-6 into the 1990s. Along the way, the squadron built a history and a reputation worthy of the name, "World Famous Indians." HS-6 recovered Mercury Program astronauts Wally Schirra in 1962 and Gordon Cooper in 1963. In 1966, during U.S. strikes into Vietnam, the Indians rescued 16 d owned aviators, for which the squadron received the Navy Unit Commendation. A SEVENTH Fleet Commendation followed in 1969 for services provided following the collision at sea between USS EVANS and HMAS MELBOURNE. In 1971, the Indians recovered the crew of Apollo 14 returning from the moon. Later that year, the squadron deployed to the east coast to join Carrier Air Wing SEVEN aboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CVA 62) to conduct an evaluation of the emerging CV concept.

In 1974, the squadron began a nine-year association with USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) and Carrier Air Wing NINE (CVW-9). This successful partnership resulted in Battle "E" Awards in 1974 and 1978 and back-to-back Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophies for ASW excellence in 1977 and 1978. The squadron also won the CNO Safety 'S' Award in 1977. In 1975, HS-6 briefly revisited its participation in the space program, recovering the Apollo-Soyuz astronauts. The squadron's final deployment onboard USS CONSTELLATION was highlighted by 19 open ocean rescues. HS-6 again won back-to-back Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophies in 1985 and 1986. Additionally, in 1986, the squadron received the Admiral Jimmy Thach Award for carrier-based ASW excellence and the CNO Safety 'S' Award. In 1988 the Indians received worldwide recognition for rescuing a seriously injured Japanese fisherman. That year, HS-6 would also receive the Sikorsky Maintenance Award, the CNO Safety 'S' Award, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation. HS-6 later joined Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN (CVW-11) and began deploying onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) until 1989 when the Indians finished with an Around the World cruise. On that cruise, HS-6 won the first ever DESRON 21 "Order of the Pummeled Dolphin" award for excellence in ASW. In 1992, the squadron transitioned to Sikorsky's SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawk helicopters. Armed with these new, highly capable aircraft, the Indians remained part of CVW-11 and from 1992 to 2003 conducted several successful deployments aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72), USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70), and USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf.

In 2001, during the opening days of the Global War on Terrorism, HS-6 conducted a joint detachment with HS-11, staging their HH-60H helicopters at a forward base in Pakistan to provide Combat Search and Rescue for the initial Operation ENDURING FREEDOM air strikes into Afghanistan. Following another FIFTH Fleet deployment in 2003, the Indians deployed in the summer of 2004 aboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) for its South American inter-fleet transit. WESTPAC 2005 found HS-6 focused on Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, flying over 2,500 hours and nearly 1,000 sorties from USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait to patrol the skies of Southern Iraq. That year, the Indians were awarded the CNO Safety 'S' Award, COMPACFLT Retention Excellence Award, and Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy. The squadron's exceptional support of Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM during WESTPAC '07, and their performance in the SEVENTH Fleet throughout WESTPAC '08 earned the Indians the 2007 Battle "E" and back to back CNO Safety 'S' Awards in 2007 and 2008. In March 2010, the squadron completed its final cruise with H-60 F/H helicopters, an eight month deployment to FIFTH Fleet in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. HSC-6 completed a Western Pacific deployment in 2013 with eight MH-60S helicopters as an integral part of the CVW-11 / CVN 68 team. HSC-6 was awarded the Battle "E', CNO Safety S, and Arnold J. Isbell trophy in 2013 as well as 2015. In 2016, HSC-6 was the first ever HSC CVW Squadron to earn the Special Operations Forces certification.

In October 2017, HSC-6 Deployed ISO USS ROOSEVELT and CSG-9 as part of CVW-17. The seven-month deployment supported C5F and C7F ISO Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) and Operation FREEDOM'S SENTINEL (OFS). Three-carrier operations were conducted in the Sea of Japan over the course of the deployment and HSC-6 executed 9 MEDEVACs. After returning to NAS North Island in May 2018, the squadron participated in multiple Joint Training Exercises including NORTHERN STRIKE, PHOENIX FIRE, PACIFIC BLITZ, VIRTUAL FLAG, RED FLAG RESCUE, and ODA support in the SOCAL Op Area. In 2018, HSC-6 received the "Blue M" for medical readiness and the Retention Excellence Award for the third consecutive year. In November 2018, HSC-6 and CVW-17 transitioned to USS NIMITZ and CSG-11.
Throughout the course of this record-long deployment, HSC-6 would fly over 3,400 hours in both the FIFTH Feet and SEVENTH Fleet Areas of Operation. These missions included support of operations INHERENT RESOLVE, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, and OCTAVE QUARTZ, as well as a dedicated logistics detachment of two helicopters aboard USNS Matthew Perry. In late February 2021, the Indians returned home to NAS North Island. In recognition of their hard work and superior performance, HSC-6 was awarded the prestigious “Battle E” award. 

In December 2023, HSC-6 Deployed ISO USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) and CSG-11 as part of CVW-17. Foremost amongst the squadron’s objectives was our commitment to providing combat ready aircrews and aircraft to Commander, CVW-17 and CSG-11 during a WESTPAC deployment aboard USS Nimitz. This deployment encompassed three max range Medical Evacuations, including one life threatening into the Philippines that resulted in a multiday evolution due to challenging environmental condition and moved 1,080 lbs of critical disaster relief in support of Guam after Typhoon Mawar, and CSG-11 participation in exercises such as PACIFIC EDGE, NOBLE INTRUSION and 2023 FLEET BATTLE PROBLEM, the Indians always answered the call. 

In 2025 the Indians of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX (HSC-6) distinguished themselves as a forward-thinking and innovative organization.  Deploying in March of 2025 the Indians left on what was expected to be a traditional WESTPAC deployment. The day after the June change of command however conflict in the Middle East pulled Carrier Strike Group ELEVEN (CSG-11), USS NIMITZ, and Carrier Airwing SEVENTEEN (CVW-17) to CENTCOM in support of increasing regional tensions, exercising all facets of their primary mission sets to “Rescue. Protect. Deliver.” Guided by the Chief of Naval Operations North Star goal of increasing warfighting readiness by 2027, "The Tribe" demonstrated their capability to perform all missions while also pushing a series of efforts to “improve warfighting advantage.”   They achieved operational and training excellence from High Altitude Army Training School (HAATS) in Gypsum, Colorado to the armed surveillance and reconnaissance in the deserts of the Arabian Gulf as well as Joint operational Maritime Interdiction Operations in the Western Pacific with Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC). For their efforts, HSC-6 received the Commander Pacific Fleet 2025 Arleigh Burke Trophy for Battle Efficiency excellence as well as the Commander Pacific Fleet 2025 Jay Isbell Trophy for excellence and innovation in anti-surface warfare as well as the 2025 CVW-17 GRGB Excellence award for superior “improvements in warfighting advantage.”