Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Three (HSC-3), also known as the "Merlins", are a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island

Naval Air Station North Island

Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay and is the home port of several aircraft carriers of the United States Navy...

 in San Diego, California

San Diego, California

San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...

. HSC-3 formerly flew the H-46 Sea Knight but have official transitioned to the MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter in 2006.

History

HSC-3 was established on the 1st of April 2005, and is the redesignation for HC-3. HC-3 was established on September 1, 1967 at Naval Air Station Imperial Beach. At that time, HC-3 was the only West Coast vertical replenishment (VERTREP) squadron. Operating from Combat Logistics Force (CLF) ships, HC-3 detachments transferred critical supplies to forward deployed ships via helicopter, affording maximum mobility to the Battle Group.

In July 1973, HC-3 moved to its present location aboard NAS North Island. In 1982, HC-3 became the single-site FRS training pilots and aircrew in shipboard landings, VERTREP, SAR, Night Vision Devices (NVDs), tactics and emergency procedures.

The first MH-60S student completed training on April 26 2002, and HC-3 completed H-46 training with the last “Phrog” pilot on September 2002. It transitioned to its new designation in April of 2005.

HSC-3 administers a number of programs in addition to providing trained pilots and aircrew to the Fleet. As the Model Manager for the Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) for the MH-60S, HSC-3 evaluates the NATOPS program of each HSC squadron annually. HSC-3 instructors also train all Pacific Fleet Helicopter Control Officers (HCOs) and Landing Signalman Enlisted (LSEs). Additionally, as the Chief of Naval Operations

Chief of Naval Operations

The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...

 (CNO) SAR Model Manager, HSC-3 establishes the training and equipment requirements for all naval SAR operations.

The hallmark of HSC-3’s success is its dedication to safety and outstanding performance. Since 1974, HSC-3 has accumulated over 235,000 Class “A” mishap-free flight hours, making HSC-3 the Navy’s safest helicopter squadron. Accordingly, HSC-3 has been awarded ten CNO Safety Awards. The squadron’s safety record coupled with its superior operational performance has earned HSC-3 seven Commander Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet Battle Efficiency awards.

See also

• History of the United States Navy
  History of the United States Navy
  The history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was also notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy", the result of a modernization effort that began in the...
  
  
• List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons