HS-6 History

Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Six was commissioned on 1 June 1 1956, aboard USS PRINCETON (CVS-37) midway between the islands of Formosa and Okinawa with Lcdr Douglas D. McKay, USN as the acting commanding officer. At the time of commissioning the new squadron was equipped with HO4S helicopters. Shortly after its return to NAAS Ream Field in August 1956, HS-6 began its transitioned to the SH-34 (then known as the HSS) and gained a new mission; antisubmarine warfare in response to the emerging threat poised by nuclear-powered submarines and cruise missiles. HS-6's first Change of Command ceremony occurred 24 August 1956 when Cdr Ernest C. Harris, Jr., USN, assumed command of the squadron. Executive Officer Cdr Hugh F. McLinden reported for duty in September 1956.

The Ream Field Yearbook, circa 1957, provides a glimpse into the earliest days of the squadron. Of particular note is the picture on page 11 of Ensign Leo Keiffer, one of our esteemed Raunchy Redskins from our 1968-9 WESTPAC deployment and also a picture of Ensign William E. (Bill) Walker who became HS-6's Commanding Officer in November 1970. The Ream Field Yearbook images were provided courtesy of Paul McBride (AD2, VS-37, 1976-9). The Yearbook originally belonged to then Lt(jg) F.E. McBride, Paul's father, a pilot in HU-1 during the mid 1950s.

In 1962 the squadron began transitioning to a new aircraft when Sikorsky's SH-3A Sea King entered the fleet. Several years later HS-6 became the first Navy squadron to fly an upgraded version of the SH-3A with AQS-13 dipping sonar. The Sea King, incorporating numerous additional upgrades over the years, would take HS-6 into the 1990s. The squadron is now home based at NAS North Island, California.

Along the way, the squadron built a history and reputation worthy of the name, "World Famous Indians." HS-6 participated in the recovery of Mercury Program Astronauts Wally Schirra in 1962, and Gordon Cooper in 1963. In 1966, in support of American strikes into Vietnam, the "Indian Gals" flying specially configured SH-3s (affectionately known as Big Mothers) rescued 16 downed aviators. Returning to Yankee Station in 1967, the squadron again resumed Combat SAR responsibilities and rescued another 13 downed airmen before turning over SAR responsibilities to the newly-formed HC-7. After the USS Kearsarge was decommissioned, HS-6 next deployed aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62) to the Mediterranean. In 1974, the squadron began to deploy on CVs with its first CV cruise on the USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64). HS-6 joined the Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11)/USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) team in 1981. The "Indians" were on board when ENTERPRISE became the first nuclear carrier to go through the Suez Canal in response to the Libyan crisis in 1986.

Previous Commanding Officers

Commanding Officers We Served Under

Cruisebooks - the following cruisebook images were provided courtesy of Victor D. Graf, ADCS/Ret. who was in the HS-6 Powerplants Shop from August 1963 to November 1966. When he first joined HS-6, the squadron was flying both SH-34s and SH-3s

Links:

HS-6 Web Site - Click on the pictures link in the left hand navigation frame for HS-6 50th Anniversary photos.

Updated: 02/15/11