THE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY DECADE 1981-1990

THE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY DECADE 1981-1990

The eighth decade of Naval Aviation was characterized by a buildup of its forces, the rise of world-wide acts of terrorism and Naval Aviation’s involvement in response to the various crises throughout the world.

During the 1980s, Naval Aviation saw a resurgence in its strength and capabilities. There was an increase in its building programs and new technology research. Many of Naval Aviation’s aircraft for the 1990s and the 21st century were introduced in the 1980s. They included the F/A-18 Hornet, the SH-60B LAMPS MK III Seahawk and its derivatives, the MH-53E and the AV-8B Harrier II. A new aircraft concept was introduced with the rollout of the V-22 Osprey, a fixed-wing, tilt-rotor aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing and horizontal flight (VTOL). Additional nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were commissioned and more were authorized for construction. A new class of multipurpose amphibious assault ship (LHD) was commissioned with more scheduled for completion or under construction.

Naval Aviation’s involvement in international events-major highlights of the 1980s-began with Iran and the continuing hostage crises, 1979-1981. Libyan operations in 1981, 1986 and 1989 demonstrated Naval Aviation’s air-to-air and strike capabilities. In 1983, a carrier and amphibious task force took part in Operation Urgent Fury and the re-establishment of democracy in the Caribbean island of Grenada. Operations in and around Lebanon kept Naval Aviation occupied during the mid-1980s. Responding to hijacking and terrorism in the Mediterranean basin was an ongoing requirement for most of the 1980s. The other hot spot for Naval Aviation was the Persian Gulf and the Iran-Iraq war. Naval Aviation was involved in numerous periods of short-lived combat operations in the Persian Gulf area. The escorting of re-flagged oil tankers and the monitoring of the Iran-Iraq war kept Naval Aviation on the line from the mid-1980s. As the decade ended, a new crises appeared when Iraq invaded Kuwait and the UN imposed an economic blockade on Iraq to force its withdrawal from Kuwait.

The activities of Naval Aviation were not limited to a combat role. Other activities included continued involvement in the manned space program and assistance during natural disasters, both at home and abroad.

Midway and Kitty Hawk Continued on Contingency Operations in the Arabian Sea

January 1, 1980–Midway and Kitty Hawk continued on contingency operations in the Arabian Sea in response to 53 Americans held hostage at the American Embassy in Teheran, Iran, since 4 November 1979.

Nimitz Heads to the Indian Ocean

January 4, 1980–Nimitz rendezvoused with her nuclear-powered escort ships in the Mediterranean and headed to the Indian Ocean via Africa’s Cape of Good Hope to relieve Kitty Hawk which was on contingency duty. This left Forrestal the only carrier with the Sixth Fleet in the Med.

Nimitz Joins Midway and Kitty Hawk in Arabian Sea

January 22, 1980–Nimitz and her escort ships joined Midway and the Kitty Hawk and their escort ships on station in the Arabian Sea. The following day Kitty Hawk departed for Subic Bay, Philippines, having spent 64 days in operations connected with the Iranian crisis.

Coral Sea Relieves Midway

February 5, 1980–Coral Sea relieved Midway which had been on contingency operations in the Arabian Sea since the Iranian hostage crisis broke out in November 1979.

Nassau and Marines show the Flag in Support of the 1979 Treaty With Panama

March 6, 1980–Nassau began a month-long cruise to the Caribbean to demonstrate U.S. capability to defend the Panama Canal in accordance with the 1979 treaty with Panama. Nassau had a 400-man Marine detachment, CH-46 Sea Knight and CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters and AV-8A Harriers on board.

IKE Deploys to the Indian Ocean

April 16, 1980–Eisenhower and her nuclear-powered escort ships departed East Coast ports en route to the Indian Ocean to relieve Nimitz task force. This was the second all nuclear-powered task force to head for the Indian Ocean since the beginning of the Iranian hostage crisis. Two days later, Constellation with her escort ships departed Subic Bay Philippines, steaming to the Indian Ocean to relieve Coral Sea task group.

IRAN Hostage Helicopter Rescue Mission

April 24, 1980–Eight RH-53D Sea Stallions operating from Nimitz in the Arabian Sea took part in a joint task force operation to rescue the American hostages in Tehran, Iran. The mission was later aborted at a desert refueling site. Subsequently, one of the helicopters collided with a C-130 Hercules aircraft resulting in the loss of eight lives. All other personnel were evacuated on the remaining C-130s.

Connie Relieves Coral Sea

April 30, 1980–Constellation and her task group relieved Coral Sea and her escort ships. Coral Sea had been on station for 89 days in connection with the Iranian crisis.

Saipan and other Navy ships Conduct Search and Rescue of Cuban Refugees

May 5, 1980–Saipan and other Navy ships provided humanitarian search and rescue support operations for the vast sealift of Cuban refugees heading for the U.S. through the Florida Straits. The Navy ships had been diverted from the annual combined training exercise Solid Shield to undertake the mission.

IKE Relieves Nimitz

May 8, 1980–Arriving in the Arabian Sea from the U.S., via the Cape of Good Hope, Eisenhower conducted turnover with Nimitz, which had been involved in Iranian contingency operations for 115 consecutive days.

President Embarks on Nimitz to Thanks Crew

May 26, 1980–The President embarked on Nimitz off Norfolk, Virginia, thanked the men of Nimitz and her escort ships for their sacrifice during an extended nine-month deployment to the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. Nimitz had spent 144 straight days at sea in connection with the Iranian hostage crisis.

Coral Sea Diverted To Korea in Response to Civil Unrest

May 27, 1980–Coral Sea was diverted to standby duty south of Cheju-Do Islands in the Sea of Japan in response to conditions of civil unrest in the Republic of Korea. She was relieved by Midway three days later.

Navy Granted Approval For Service Use (ASU) for Two Advanced Sonobuoys

June 23, 1980–The Navy granted Approval for Service Use (ASU) for two advanced sonobuoys. The AN/SSQ-2 Directional Command Active Sonobuoy System (DICASS) and the AN/SSQ-77 Vertical Line Array DIFAR(VLAD) represent the first major improvements in the sonobuoy field since the AN/SSQ-53 DIFAR was introduced in 1968. These sonobuoys reinforce their article’s unique position as the vital link between the search aircraft and “enemy in liquid space”. They provide a three-to-five fold improvement over existing active and passive airborne sensors.

Navy Stops Support at Key West For Cuban Refugees

July 8, 1980–The Navy terminated its support operations at Key West for the Cuban refugees. Eleven Navy ships as well as P-3 Orion patrol aircraft assisted the unofficial freedom flotilla which involved civilian boats crossing the Florida Straits to transfer Cuban refugees to the U.S. Over 115,500 had arrived from Mariel, Cuba, since the freedom flotilla began.

CNO Names 12 for the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola

July 10, 1980–The names of 12 men were selected by the CNO for enshrining in the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. In order of their selection they were: Admiral John H. Towers, Eugene B. Ely, Lieutenant Colonel Alfred A. Cunningham, Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Jr., Commander Theodore G. Ellyson, Glenn H. Curtiss, Vice Admiral Patrick N.L. Bellinger, Rear Admiral William Adger Moffett, Rear Admiral Albert C. Read, Lieutenant Commander Godfrey deC. Chevalier, Captain Holden C. Richardson and Warrant Officer Floyd Bennett. 18–Charles “Pete” Conrad, former Navy pilot and NASA astronaut, became the twelfth former Naval Aviator to be enshrined in Dayton’s prestigious Aviation Hall of Fame.

Automatic Parachute Release System Developed by Vought Corporation

July 30, 1980–An automatic parachute release system developed by Vought Corporation was designed to save the lives of pilots who eject from their aircraft under adverse conditions. The new system, developed with U.S. Navy funding, was called SEAPAC, for Sea Activated Parachute Automatic Crew Release. It had seawater activated switches which automatically released the parachute harness when a pilot entered the water.

T-2C Buckeye Launched from Ski Ramp

July 31, 1980–A T-2C Buckeye was successfully launched from a fixed-angle, three-degree ski jump at Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland. This launch was the first part of feasibility demonstrations to evaluate the use of ramps for takeoffs by conventional, as opposed to V/STOL aircraft.

LDO Aviator Program Established

July 31, 1980–A Limited Duty Officer aviator program for second class, first class and chief petty officers, paygrades E-5 through E-7, was established, with the first 35 enlisted personnel selected and scheduled to report to NAS Pensacola in April 1981. After completing aviation officer indoctrination, primary flight and maritime (prop) training, the new officers were assigned to an initial three-year tour as primary flight instructors. Major objectives of the program were to improve utilization and retention of aviators, provide further upward mobility for enlisted personnel, improve the flight instructor program and provide for replacement of aviators in selected shipboard billets.

Midway Relieves Constellation

August 17, 1980–Midway relieved Constellation to begin another Indian Ocean deployment and complement Eisenhower task group still on contingency duty in the Arabian Sea.

Eisenhower and Midway Continue Contingency Operations

September 22, 1980–Eisenhower and Midway continued contingency operations in the northern Arabian Sea as war erupted between Iraq and Iran.

Guadalcanal and Sixth Fleet Ships Assist Earthquake Victims of the Algerian city of Al Asnam

October 12, 1980–Ships of the Amphibious Force, Sixth Fleet, including Guadalcanal, began assisting the victims of the massive earthquake which devastated the Algerian city of Al Asnam. The ships took up positions 20-25 miles offshore to render helicopter support in the disaster relief efforts.

Ranger Relieves Midway

November 6, 1980–Ranger and accompanying ships of her task group relieved the Midway in the northern Arabian Sea. Midway thus completed its second Indian Ocean deployment in connection with the Iranian crisis, for a total of 157 days “on the line”.

LAMPS SH-60B Seahawk Uses Recovery Assist, Securing and Traversing (RAST) System

November 11, 1980–For the first time, the LAMPS SH-60B Seahawk worked with the Recovery Assist, Securing and Traversing (RAST) system aboard a ship underway. The guided-missile frigate Mclnerney (FFG 8) conducted the shipboard aspect of the exercise which included mainly electronic communications and not an actual landing. This test was conducted from the Bath Ironworks and Yard at Bath, Maine.

VR-24 H-53s Provide Disaster Relief in Italy

November 25, 1980–RH-53D Sea Stallions from VR-24, together with units of the U.S. Army and Air Force, began disaster relief assistance to victims of the devastating earthquake at Avellino, Italy, on November 23, which killed over 3,000 persons and made many more homeless. Commander Fleet Air, Mediterranean, headquartered at Naples, was director of U.S. Military support efforts.

Independence Relieves IKE

December 8, 1980–Independence and her escort ships relieved Eisenhower and her task force which had been involved in Iranian contingency operations since 8 May. Eisenhower returned to Norfolk, Virginia on 22 December, after a 251-day deployment, the longest underway deployment for a Navy ship since World War II. She had been underway for 152 continuous days.

Carrier Operations in 1980

December 31, 1980–Carrier operations during 1980 in connection with the Iranian crisis consisted of 10 tours by eight attack carriers (two with two tours each) in the Indian Ocean/Arabian Sea. The carriers accumulated a grand total of 723 days on station. Those with over 100 contingency days on station during the year included Eisenhower, whose two tours totaled 199 days; Midway, with two tours representing 118 days; Constellation with 110 days and Nimitz with 108 days. Other carriers involved in contingency operations in the Indian Ocean were Coral Sea, Ranger, Independence and Kitty Hawk.

LAMPS MK III ASW System Goes to Sea

January 6, 1981 – The LAMPS MK III ASW system went to sea for the first time. Off the northeastern coast of Florida, the SH-60B Seahawk landed aboard McInerney (FFG 8) underway by using the new RAST gear. RAST was designed to recover a helicopter in seas with ship movements up to a 28-degree roll, 5 degrees of pitch and heaving of 15 feet per second. The primary mission of the SH-60B was antisubmarine warfare. It also provided surveillance and targeting information on surface vessels, performed search and rescue (SAR) operations and was used for vertical replenishment and gunfire support.

HC-1 Rescues Downed Helicopter Crew in the South China Sea

March 16, 1981 – An A-6 Intruder from VA-115 on board Midway sighted a downed civilian helicopter in the South China Sea. Midway immediately dispatched HC-1 Det 2 helicopters to the scene. All 17 people aboard the downed helicopter were rescued and brought aboard the carrier. The chartered civilian helicopter was also plucked out of the water and lifted to Midway’s flight deck.

HMH-464 Receives the CH-53E Super Stallion

July 1, 1981. – HMH-464 began to receive the CH-53E Super Stallion. HM-12 received its first Super Stallion in November 1982. It was used for Vertical Onboard Delivery (VOD) operations. The MH-53E, a modification of the CH-53E to the minesweeper configuration, began service in 1986.

XV-15 Conducts Shipboard Landings

August 2, 1982 – The XV-15, Bell Helicopter’s experimental vertical lift aircraft, piloted by Navy test pilot Lieutenant Commander John Ball and Bell’s test pilot Dorman Cannon, conducted its first at-sea shipboard landings and takeoffs on Tripoli. A tilt-rotor aircraft, the XV-15 had a conven-tional fixed wing, with engines and rotors mounted on the wing tips, which were capable of swiveling to provide either vertical or horizontal flight.

Helicopter Tactical Wing One was Established

October 1, 1982 – Helicopter Tactical Wing One was established at NAS Norfolk, Va. The new wing consisted of HC-6, HC-16, HM-12, HM-14 and HM-16. It was responsible for the administrative and operational activities of these helicopter squadrons with regard to training, material support and overall readiness. Captain John W. Osberg was its first commander.

HSL-41 was Established

January 21, 1983 – HSL-41 was established with Commander Michael B. O’Connor Jr., as the Seahawks’ first commanding officer. The squadron would be flying the new Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk and, as the LAMPS MK III fleet readiness squadron, would train pilots, aircrew and maintenance personnel for SH-60B fleet squadrons.

First CH-53E Super Stallion Delivered to HM-12 Sea Dragons

March 11, 1983 – The first fleet CH-53E Super Stallion was delivered to the HM-12 Sea Dragons. The CH-53E could transport heavier loads over longer distances than previous helicopters used for logistics in the fleet. Modifications included the addition of a third engine, a larger main rotor system and changes to the tail rotor. These changes would allow the CH-53E to carry three times the payload of its predecessor, the RH-53D.

Navy’s First Heavy Lift Helicopter Combat Support Squadron, HC-4 was Established

May 6, 1983. – The Navy’s first heavy lift Helicopter Combat Support Squadron, HC-4 was established at Norfolk, VA. This was the second helicopter squadron to carry this designation. It was equipped with the new, three-engine, seven-blade rotor CH-53E Super Stallion. The squadron moved to its home base, NAS Sigonella, Italy, on 25 August 1983. It immediately took over the VOD mission in the Mediterranean.

Marine Corps CH-53E Flies Coast To Coast

July 6, 1983 – A Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion flew coast to coast in a 15-hour flight from Patuxent River, Md., to MCAS Tustin, Calif. It was refueled four times by a Marine Corps KC-130 Hercules.

MH-53E Super Stallion Production Prototype Made its First Flight

September 1, 1983 – The MH-53E Super Stallion production prototype made its first flight. The MH version of the CH-53E heavy-lift helicopter was developed to meet the Navy’s needs for airborne mine countermeasures missions. The MH versions would also augment the VOD requirements of the Navy.

HSL-41 Received First SH-60B Seahawk

September 28, 1983 – The Seahawks of HSL-41 received their first production SH-60B. HSL-41 was the Navy’s first LAMPS MK III squadron.

Improved CH-46 First Flight

November 23, 1983 – A modified CH-46 lifted off Boeing Vertol’s flight ramp at Philadelphia, Pa., for its first flight. The modified CH-46 carried improvements that, when incorporated in all the H-46s, would extend the service life of the Navy/Marine Corps fleet of H-46 aircraft through the 1990s.

SECNAV Names First LHD-1 USS Wasp

December 27, 1983 – The Secretary of the Navy announced the assignment of the name Wasp to LHD 1. The LHD 1 was the first of a new class of amphibious assault ships designed to accommodate new air-cushioned landing craft, as well as conventional landing craft, the AV-8 Harrier and all types of helicopters.

HC-1 Received First Two CH-53E helicopters

January 10, 1984 – HC-1 received its first two CH-53E helicopters. Capable of lifting over 16 tons, the Super Stallion was the largest and most powerful helicopter in the western world. HC-1 was the only Navy West Coast squadron to fly the CH-53E. The squadron would also continue to fly the SH-3G Sea King in its current role.

First Female Pilot to Land H-46 on a Battleship

March 20, 1984 – Lieutenant Catherine H. Osman was the first female pilot to land a helicopter (HH-46A) aboard the battleship Iowa (BB 61).

HM-14 Conducts Minesweeping Operations in the Gulf of Suez

August 17, 1984 – HM-14, after receiving a Joint Chiefs of Staff notice of tasking for rapid deployment to the Gulf of Suez, commenced mine-hunting operations that continued for 22 consecutive days in the troubled area. Earlier, on 6 August, HM-14 had embarked aboard Shreveport (LPD 12) with four RH-53Ds which were later augmented by others from the squadron’s detachment, as well as an RH-53D from HM-12.

HM-14 Conducts Flight Ops in Support of Embassy Bombing in Lebanon

September 22, 1984 – HM-14 conducted flight operations to support logistics, medevacs and embassy personnel evacuation after a terrorist bombing of the U. S. Embassy Annex in Beirut, Lebanon.

HC-8 was Established

December 3, 1984 – HC-8 was established at Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Va

F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter and the LAMPS SH-60B Seahawk ASW Helicopter, Deploy

February 21, 1985 – The F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter and the LAMPS, which used the SH-60B Seahawk ASW helicopter, deployed overseas for the first time. Both systems operated as part of Battle Group Delta headed by Constellation in a routine deployment with the Seventh Fleet to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. The Hornets replaced the A-7E Corsair IIs operated by two squadrons assigned to CVW-14, making Constellation the Navy’s first carrier to have F/A-18s assigned to her air wing. The SH-60B Seahawk helicopter operated as the air subsystem of the LAMPS MK III weapon system, deployed aboard Crommelin (FFG 37).

Contract Signed For Carrier Version of the Seahawk, SH-60F

March 6, 1985 – The Naval Air Systems Command and United Technologies’ Sikorsky Aircraft signed a contract for full-scale development and production options for a carrier-borne version of the SH-60B Seahawk. Designated SH-60F, the variant would be used to protect the inner perimeter of carrier battle groups from enemy submarines.

VP-68 Moves

April 1, 1985 – VP-68 completed its move from NAS Patuxent River, Md., to NAF Washington, D.C., located at Andrews AFB. Relocation of the reserve antisubmarine warfare squadron, which operated the P-3B Orion, was to make room for the JVX test program at NAS Patuxent River, but also helped balance base loading at NAF Washington. The V-22 Osprey, formerly the JVX, a multi-service, tilt-rotor V/STOL aircraft, was scheduled for testing at the Naval Air Test Center starting in 1988.

The Keel was Laid for the USS Wasp

May 30, 1985 – The keel was laid for Wasp during ceremonies at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. First of a new class of amphibious ships, the LHD was designed to accommodate helicopters such as the CH-53E Super Stallion and SH-60B Seahawk, as well as the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and the AV-8B Harrier II.

HSL-84 Completes Deployment

September 2, 1985 – Reserve squadron HSL-84 completed its deployment of two detachments aboard reserve frigates which marked the first time in Naval Reserve history that a reserve LAMPS detachment was embarked aboard a ship for an extended period of time. While at sea for two weeks beginning 16 August, Det 1 assigned to Grey (FF 1054) and Det 2 assigned to Lang (FF 1060) operated as part of a five-ship all-Reserve squadron.

Bell-Boeing Awarded Navy Contract For The V-22 Osprey

May 3, 1986. – Bell-Boeing was awarded a Navy contract for full-scale development of the V-22 Osprey. This was a major milestone in the Join Service Vertical Take-off/Landing Experimental (JVX) program, which had been initiated in 1981. In response to a request for proposals issued in 1983, Bell Helicopter had teamed up with Boeing Vertol and, on 17 February 1983, submitted a proposal for a bigger version of the Bell XV-15. The first of six prototypes first flew on 19 March 1989. The Osprey successfully completed sea trials aboard USS Wasp (LHD-1) in December 1990. After two crashes in 1991-92, redesigned V-22B models resumed test flights in 1993. Testing continued into 1997. The first pre-production V-22 began testing at NATC on 5 February 1997. In 2000 two fatal crashes that killed 19 Marines delayed significantly the development program. After a long and controversial development process, DoD finally approved full-rate production on 28 September 2005. The first combat deployment of the MV-22 occurred in October 2007.

Helicopter Landing Trainer IX-514 was Approved

May 27, 1986 – The helicopter landing trainer IX-514 was approved for use by student Naval Aviators after testing was conducted using UH-1N, SH-3H, SH-60B, and TH-57 aircraft. The training craft provided a platform to shipboard-qualify student helicopter pilots before they joined the fleet.

The Helistat Crashed at NAEC Lakehurst During Flight Test

July 1, 1986 – The Helistat, a flight demonstrator lighter-than-air aircraft under development by Piasecki Aircraft Company for use by the Forestry Service, crashed at NAEC Lakehurst, N.J., during flight tests. The Helistat was powered by the engines and rotor systems of four SH-34J Seabat helicopters attached to a ZPG-2 airship envelope.

Brown Shoes Are Back

September 20, 1986 – Naval Aviation personnel were authorized by ALNAV message 202001Z Oct to wear brown shoes and khaki socks with summer khaki uniforms to become effective on 1 April 1987. The brown shoes had been removed as part of the uniform on 1 July 1976 after being part of the Naval Aviator’s uniform since 1913.

VC-8 Launches 3 Helicopters for Hotel Fire Rescue Effort in Puerto Rico

December 31, 1986 – VC-8 launched three H-3 helicopters on short notice to support rescue efforts at the Dupont Plaza Hotel fire in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Called the worst hotel disaster in U.S. history, 75 persons stranded on the roof of the hotel were rescued in twilight and darkness by the Redtails.

SH-60F CV-Helo Conducted First Flight

March 19, 1987 – The SH-60F CV-Helo conducted its first flight. It was ordered by the Navy in early 1985 as the replacement for the SH-3H Sea King ASW helicopter utilized for the inner-zone defense of carrier battle groups.

HM-12 First Fleet Squadron to Receive MH-53E Sea Stallion

April 1, 1987 – HM-12 was the first fleet squadron to receive the MH-53E Sea Stallion. This new airborne mine countermeasures helicopter provided a greater tow tension capability, longer on-station time and a new digital automatic flight control system.

Navy Receives First SH-60F

June 30, 1987 – The Navy received its first SH-60F Seahawk (Carrier Inner Zone Helicopter). Operational test and evaluation of the aircraft began in December. The SH-60F would replace the SH-3H Sea King used by HS squadrons.

SH-60B and SH-2F Helicopters Modified for Special Middle East Force Duties

July 6, 1987 – SH-60B and SH-2F helicopters, modified for Special Middle East Force duties, were deployed. The modifications included special mission defensive equipment, such as the M-60 machine gun and special countermeasure and infrared electronic devices.

AIRPAC Initiates Extensive Modifications to LAMPS MK I and MK III aircraft

July 15, 1987 – Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet initiated extensive modifications to LAMPS MK I and MK III aircraft to increase survivability and surface surveillance capability during Persian Gulf operations.

HM-14 Called For Rapid Response Deployment to the Persian Gulf

July 27, 1987 – HM-14 was called upon for a rapid response deployment to the Persian Gulf and departed 72 hours later with its RH-53Ds to counter mines being laid by Iranian forces. HM-14 assets were flown by USAF C-5 and C-141 aircraft to Diego Garcia where its helicopters were reassembled and placed aboard Guadalcanal. The squadron conducted sweeping and hunting operations in the Persian Gulf until relieved by surface minesweeping units.

Lamps Dets on Convoy Duty in Arabian Sea

August 1, 1987 – Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet began support of an average of five to seven LAMPS helicopter detachments operating on convoy duty in the Persian Gulf.

USS Wasp Christened

September 19, 1987 – Wasp was christened. She was the first of a new class of amphibious assault ships (LHD). Her primary mission was to deploy and land elements of a Marine air and ground task force during an assault by employing helicopters, landing craft and amphibious vehicles. The ship would operate the AV-8B Harrier II, as well as various types of helicopters, and the new air cushion land craft (LCAC).

HML(A)-169 First to Deploy with AH-1W Super Cobra

October 8, 1987 – HML(A)-169 became the first Marine Corps squadron to deploy operationally with the new AH-1W Super Cobra. The unit deployed to the Persian Gulf aboard Okinawa (LPH 3). The AH-1W was capable of simultaneously employing the Hellfire, TOW and Sidewinder missiles. It also had a new heads-up display and bigger engines to give the ground support gunship greatly increased mission capabilities.

TPS Receives First Three HH-65 Dolphin Helicopters

December 7, 1987 – The Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, Md., received the first of three HH-65 Dolphin helicopters on loan from the Coast Guard.

V-22 Osprey Rolled Out

May 23, 1988 – The revolutionary tilt-rotor aircraft, the V-22 Osprey, made its debut during rollout ceremonies at Bell Helicopter’s facility in Arlington, Tex. The V-22 combined the attributes of a helicopter and a turbo-prop aircraft and was developed from the start to serve the needs of all four armed services.

Navy HH-60H Makes Maiden Flight

August 17, 1988 – The maiden flight of the Navy’s new Helicopter Combat Support aircraft, HH-60H, was conducted at Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, Conn. The helicopter was a derivative of the SH-60F. The primary mission of the new HH-60H would be strike rescue with secondary tasks involving special warfare missions. The HH-60Hs were the first new aircraft purchased for and operated exclusively by the Naval Air Reserve.

HCS-5 was Established

October 1, 1988 – HCS-5 was established at NAS Point Mugu, Calif., the first squadron of its kind. HCS-5 was a Reserve squadron with a primary mission of combat search and rescue (strike rescue) and special warfare support. It would operate the HH-60H Seahawk.

First Woman Earn Wings Through the Reinstated NAVCAD Program

November 10, 1988 – Ensign Joy D. Warner became the first woman to earn her Wings of Gold through the newly reinstated NAVCAD program. She joined the program in June 1987 and completed basic flight training with HT-8.

V-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft Make First Flight at Bell

March 19, 1989 – The V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft made its first flight at Bell Helicopter Textron’s Flight Research Center, Arlington, Tex. The aircraft reached a maximum speed of 20 knots and an altitude of 30 feet during a 15-minute flight in the helicopter mode, which initiated phase one of flight tests. The V-22 was the first modern weapons system designed from conception to meet the requirements of all four U.S. armed services.

USS Iowa Explosion

April 19, 1989 – While operating in the Caribbean, Coral Sea responded to a call for assistance from Iowa (BB 61) due to an explosion in the battleship’s number two gun turret in which 47 crew members were killed. The explosive ordnance disposal team from Coral Sea removed volatile powder charges from the ship’s 16-inch guns and flooded powder magazines. Coral Sea also

dispatched a surgical team and medical supplies. VC-8, using SH-3G helicopters, also performed medevac and logistical support to Iowa.

HS-10 Receives First SH-60F Helicopter

June 22, 1989 – HS-10 accepted the Navy’s first SH-60F CV-Helo inner zone antisubmarine warfare aircraft during a ceremony at NAS North Island, Calif. In October, HS-10 became the Navy’s only SH-60F fleet readiness squadron when it transferred all SH-3 training to HC-1 and HS-1.

HS-10 Receives First SH-60F Helicopter

June 22, 1989 – HS-10 accepted the Navy’s first SH-60F CV-Helo inner zone antisubmarine warfare aircraft during a ceremony at NAS North Island, Calif. In October, HS-10 became the Navy’s only SH-60F fleet readiness squadron when it transferred all SH-3 training to HC-1 and HS-1.

HCS-5 Accepts the First Sikorsky HH-60H Helicopter

July 8, 1989 – HCS-5, NAS Point Mugu, Calif., accepted the first Sikorsky HH-60H strike rescue and special warfare operations helicopters. The HH-60H was the first aircraft to be produced specifically for the Naval Air Reserve.

Ranger Rescues 39 Vietnamese Refugees

August 3, 1989 – Ranger rescued 39 Vietnamese refugees, adrift for 10 days on a barge in heavy seas and monsoon rains in the South China Sea, about 80 miles from NAS Cubi Point, R.P. SH3-s from HS-14 assisted. An A-6 from VA-145 spotted the barge, which had apparently broken loose from its mooring near a small island off the coast of Vietnam with 10 men on board. Twenty-nine other refugees from a sinking refugee boat climbed aboard the barge when it drifted out to sea. After examination by medical personnel, all were flown to NAS Cubi Point for further processing.

Coast Guard Retires Last Sikorsky HH-52A Sea Guard Helicopter

September 12, 1989 – The Coast Guard retired its last Sikorsky HH-52A Sea Guard. The HH-52A served over 26 years as the Coast Guard’s primary short-range, search and rescue helicopter. It was replaced by the Aerospatiale HH-65A Dolphin.

First Coast Guard Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk Helicopter Rolles Out

September 14, 1989 – The first Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk medium-range, search and rescue helicopter rolled out in Stratford, Conn. It would replace the Sikorsky HH-3F in Coast Guard service.

V-22 Osprey Makes First Flight in Full airplane Mode

September 14, 1989 – The V-22 Osprey made its first flight in full airplane mode. The part helicopter, part airplane tilt-rotor aircraft was airborne for about one hour at Bell Helicopter Textron’s Arlington, Tex., facility.

Navy Air supports Hurricane Hugo Relief Ops in Caribbean

September 17-21, 1989 – Under the direction of Commander, Fleet Air, Caribbean, a number of Navy and Marine Corps squadrons-including HC-2 (Det VI), VP-93, and VC-8-responded to the destruction brought by Hurricane Hugo to the Caribbean by flying in needed supplies to Puerto Rico and evacuating the seriously injured to hospitals.

HAL-4 Redesignated HCS-4

October 1, 1989 – HAL-4, a Naval Reserve squadron, was officially redesignated HCS-4 with an added mission of strike rescue. HAL-4 was the last Navy gunship squadron.

HM-15 and HC-1 Support Earthquake Relief Operations in San Francisco

October 17, 1989 – An earthquake in northern California brought response from HM-15 Detachment 3 and HC-1. Both conducted lifts of food, water, and relief materials to the heavily damaged areas. HC-11 Det 3 also participated in the disaster relief. The amphibious assault ship Peleliu provided food and shelter to homeless earthquake victims.

VH-60N was Approved for Executive Transport

November 3, 1989 – The designation VH-60N was approved for the version of the H-60 helicopter to be used as the worldwide executive transport. Personnel from HMX-1 were responsible for flying the President and his staff in this helicopter.