Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26
An MH-60S Seahawk of HSC-26 over Bahrain in 2013
Active1 September 1967 – present[1]
(56 years, 6 months)
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
TypeHelicopter Squadron
Part ofNaval Air Force Atlantic
  • Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic
Garrison/HQNaval Station Norfolk, Virginia
Naval Support Activity Bahrain (Det. 1)
Nickname(s)Chargers
Desert Hawks (Det. 1)
Insignia
HSC-26 emblem
Aircraft flown
HelicopterMH-60S Seahawk

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 (HSC-26), nicknamed the "Chargers", is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. The squadron was established on 1 September 1967 as Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 6 (HC-6), before being redesignated to its current name on 24 August 2005.[1] Since 2005, the squadron's Detachment 1, nicknamed the "Desert Hawks", have been stationed at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, conducting combat support for the United States Fifth Fleet. In 2017, HSC-26 deployed aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) to provide disaster relief to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria.[2][3] In 2021, members of HSC-26 deployed to the Gulf of Oman aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7).[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (11 April 2012). OPNAV INSTRUCTION 5030.4G (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Department of the Navy. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  2. ^ "HSC-26 Command History". Naval Air Force Atlantic. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Assistance from the seas". DVIDS. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  4. ^ "USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug 30, 2021". USNI News. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2022.



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