HC - 4 Helicopter Combat Support Squadron FOUR ( HC - 4 ) was a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk , Virginia . Nicknamed the " Black Stallions " , they flew the CH - 53E Super Stallion and MH - 53E Sea Dragon helicopters . History . The Black Stallions were established on May 6 , 1983 . The BLACK STALLIONS of HC - 4 " The Navy ' s Premiere Heavy Lift Combat Support Squadron " On July 1 , 1960 Helicopter Utility Squadron FOUR ( HU - 4 ) was established at NAS Lakehurst , New Jersey , and tasked with the logistic support of non - aviation ships of the U . S . Atlantic Fleet . To describe its mission more accurately , the squadron was redesignated as Helicopter Combat Support Squadron FOUR in July 1965 , and HC - 4 was born . Eight years later , the young squadron assumed a new mission of Helicopter Anti - submarine Warfare and was renamed HSL - 30 . For eleven years , HC - 4 seemed to have been relegated to the dusty tomes of history . However , in the early 1980s , the advent of the Sikorsky CH - 53E Super Stallion was to change the face of helicopter logistics support forever . With twice the lifting capacity and far greater range than any of its predecessors , the CH - 53E was the most capable heavy - lift helicopter in the NATO inventory . Recognizing this unique aircraft ' s phenomenal potential for fleet support , the U . S . Navy commissioned its first , and only dedicated CH - 53E squadron on May 6 , 1983 . The squadron was granted the designator HC - 4 , and thus were born the present - day " Black Stallions . " Arriving at their new home of NAS Sigonella , Italy on August 25 , 1983 , the " Black Stallions " quickly established themselves as the " prime movers " of air - delivered cargo in the Mediterranean , exceeding all records for fleet air logistics support in theater . In their first year alone , they delivered more than sixteen thousand passengers and six and a half million pounds of cargo and mail . While providing simultaneous and complete heavy combat support throughout Europe , Africa , and the Middle East , HC - 4 has participated in every major naval operation and exercise in theater since the squadron ' s establishment , continually setting the standard for operational excellence and flexibility in the world of heavy combat support . The " Plank owner " Commanding Officer was Commander Ronald Aubrey McDaniel from Brewton , Alabama . Cmdr . McDaniel was previously the Commanding Officer of VR - 24 at NAS Sigonella , Sicily . To ensure logistic service to SIXTH Fleet Task Forces , U . S . Naval Forces in Europe , and other U . S . Navy ships operating independently , HC - 4 routinely deploys one or two aircraft to strategic locations throughout its vast area of responsibility . Aug 12 , 1990 two CH - 53E aircraft were deployed to Jedda SA , the first American combat support force to arrive in SA . In 1992 , this area of responsibility was expanded by the establishment of a permanent two - aircraft detachment in the Persian Gulf . Working out of Bahrain International Airport , Detachment ONE provided over 80 % of all airlifted cargo in the Persian Gulf and surrounding area . A new era of achievement for HC - 4 was commenced in February 1995 , as the " Black Stallions " began their transition to the more capable MH - 53E Sea Dragon . HC - 4 phased out the CH - 53E ' s and replaced them with nine MH - 53E ' s while maintaining the high operational tempo that hallmarks the squadron ' s history . This challenging transition was completed in February 1996 with the departure of the Navy ' s last two CH - 53E ' s from NAS Sigonella . The Sea Dragon ' s range of up to 650 nautical miles ( without refueling ) and top speed of brings the entire Mediterranean and Persian Gulf regions within easy reach . Although logistics has always been the mainstay of HC - 4 operations , it is by no means the limit of this capable and diverse squadron . In August 1996 , HC - 4 transported the Prime Minister of Israel , Benjamin Netanyahu , along with 23 other high - ranking members of the Israeli government . Since the squadron was established , the " Black Stallions " have been called upon to support U . S . Presidential visits to Europe and the Middle East . HC - 4 supported President Clinton ' s visits to northern Ireland , Paris , Italy , Macedonia and an historic December 1998 visit to Israel and Palestine . Presidential support continued under President Bush in 2003 , as HC - 4 supported visits to Switzerland and the United Kingdom . When the United Nations ' peacekeeping mission to Somalia collapsed endangering the lives of hundreds of allied soldiers , HC - 4 was called upon to evacuate U . N . forces . While the world watched the civil war in Sierra Leone erupt into violence , HC - 4 again responded , deploying two aircraft to help evacuate Americans from that country . World events in 2004 kept the Black Stallion on the move . Vice President Cheney was personally transported by the Black Stallions while later that year the squadron supported President Bush ' s attendance at a NATO Summit in Turkey . HC - 4 also provided transport for the U . S . Ambassador to NATO and Secretary of Defense personnel at a second NATO conference in Romania . HC - 4 has always served a vital role in the Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom , most recently while operating a detachment out of Fujairah , U . A . E . However , the depth and scope of that role is to expand greatly in the upcoming year . Currently , all Black Stallion pilots and aircrew are training to become the first night - vision device ( NVD ) qualified squadron in the MH - 53 . After training , the squadron will deploy in direct support of the War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom , once again leading the way in Navy helicopter aviation . Since their commissioning , the " Black Stallions " of HC - 4 have received numerous personal and unit awards . They include two European Region National Defense Transportation Association awards , three Golden Anchor and one Silver Anchor awards for retention , five Navy Unit commendations , three Meritorious Unit Commendations , three Navy Battle " E " Efficiency awards , a Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award . Over the last 20 years it has been the men and women of HC - 4 who safely fly , maintain , and support the Navy ' s most labor intensive helicopter . They are responsible for the squadron ' s success . The squadron , which now numbers over 35 officers and 240 enlisted men and women , continues to excel every year . HC - 4 has only begun to prove its abilities and the men and women of the " Black Stallions " look forward to ever - increasing challenges . HC - 4 was previously home - based at Naval Air Station Sigonella , located in Sicily , Italy . The squadron completed a homeport change to Naval Station Norfolk in 2005 - 06 . The squadron was disestablished on 28 September 2007 . " Black Stallions By Trade , Professional By Definition ! "