page_title: HSC-5
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: HSC-5 / History
caption_attribution_description: A U.S. Navy Sikorsky SH-60F Seahawk of helicopter anti-submarine squadron HS-5 Nightdippers hovers in front of the Sturgeon-class attack submarine USS Grayling (SSN-646) while operating in the western Mediterranean Sea on 19 June 1996. The Seahawk was assigned to Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) operating from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), while conducting a passing exercise with units from the French aircraft carrier Clemenceau (R98).
context_page_description: Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron FIVE, also known as the Nightdippers, is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Station Norfolk operating the Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk. The Nightdippers are a part of Carrier Air Wing Seven and deploy aboard USS Harry S. Truman to provide anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, vertical replenishment, Combat Search and Rescue and Naval Special Warfare Support capabilities to the carrier strike group.
context_section_description: Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Five was established at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, on 3 January 1956 flying the Sikorsky HSS-1N Seabat. Its primary mission was denying the enemy effective use of submarines. Assigned to Carrier Antisubmarine Air Group Fifty-Four in 1959, HS-5 moved to NAS Quonset Point, RI where the squadron completed several ASW deployments and participated in two Mercury spacecraft recoveries including America’s first astronaut, CDR Allen B. Shepard.
  1960s
  In 1962 the squadron's aircraft were re-designated to SH-34J Seabat in compliance with the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system.  In 1963, HS-5 transitioned to the Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King the first twin jet-turbine helicopter, and was assigned to Carrier Air Wing SEVEN (CVW-7) deploying aboard USS Independence (CV-62). By the end of the decade the Nightdippers had transitioned to the SH-3D Sea King.
  1970s
  In 1978, HS-5 and CVW-7 were assigned to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), at the time the Navy's newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.  Following an extended deployment to the Mediterranean Sea which ended in 1979, HS-5 transitioned to the SH-3H Sea King, which incorporated the latest in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) technological advances.
  1980s
  In 1986, an extended turnaround-training involved operations on four aircraft carriers: USS Coral Sea (CV-43), USS Saratoga (CV 60), USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Subsequently, An extensive work-up cycle prepared HS-5 and Eisenhower for a 1988 Mediterranean deployment. With a single helicopter embarked in USS Peterson (DD 969), the community had its first-ever six-month detachment of a single SH-3H for ASW. The venerable "Sea King" again proved its mettle during numerous multi-national exercises and sensitive Black Sea operations. Well-recognized for its outstanding performance in 1988, the squadron received its fourth Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy, sixth CNO Safely Award, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
  1990s
  Following a successful turnaround cycle highlighted by two successive HSWING ONE Maintenance Trophies, HS-5 deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in March 1990, once again aboard Eisenhower. Referred to as the "Centennial Cruise" in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, this deployment included an unusual mid-deployment journey to the English Channel for participation in ceremonies in remembrance of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. In August 1990, IKE left the Mediterranean again, transiting the Suez Canal and taking position in the Red Sea to deter possible Iraqi aggression against Saudi Arabia at the beginning of Operation Desert Shield.
  In July 1992, HS-5 and CVW-7 were assigned to USS George Washington (CVN 73) and transited through the Suez Canal to the Persian Gulf twice, first to participate in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and again to counter Iraqi aggression near the Kuwaiti border in Operation VIGILANT WARRIOR.  During the deployment, HS-5 surpassed 14 years and 44,000 hours of mishap-free flying.
  The Nightdippers marked the end of an era when the last of their SH-3H Sea King helicopters was transferred from NAS Jacksonville in January 1995. Although the Sea Kings were older than the personnel maintaining them, several upgrades, modifications, and service life extensions had kept the H-3 up-to-date with the latest technological advances in ASW, electronics, and power plant systems.  The squadron kept their vintage helicopters aloft for a total of 108,661 hours and in ready-to-launch, around-the-clock status for over three decades. The Sea Kings were flown to different parts of the country and one is displayed at the Quonset Point Air Museum in Rhode Island.
  February 1995 began a new chapter in Nightdipper history when the squadron transitioned to the SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawk helicopters. Faced with completing a demanding transition during a compressed thirteen-month turnaround cycle, the men and women of HS-5 completed the transition three months ahead of schedule and met every operation
caption: An SH-60F from HS-5 with USS Grayling, in 1996
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