USS Constellation CV-64 · America’s Flagship Open the Book
1994–95 Western Pacific & Persian Gulf Deployment 435 pages · searchable by name, division, squadron, and port
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HS-2 “Golden Falcons” squadron insignia
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) · CVW-2

HS-2 — “Golden Falcons”

The helicopter squadron — submarine hunting and the crew's lifeline in the water.

Designation
HS-2
Aircraft
SH-60 Seahawk
Role
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS)

The Squadron

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 2, the “Golden Falcons,” flew the SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawk helicopters as the helicopter squadron of Carrier Air Wing Two. Its duties ranged from hunting submarines to guarding the flight deck and recovering downed aircrew, a mix of tasks that kept its aircraft constantly in motion.

The helicopter squadron filled roles no fixed-wing aircraft could. It stood plane-guard during flight operations, ready to recover anyone who went into the water, and it held the combat search and rescue mission, prepared to retrieve aircrew from hostile territory if the need arose.

The Aircraft

The squadron operated two versions of the Seahawk helicopter. The SH-60F was configured for anti-submarine warfare, carrying a dipping sonar and other sensors to detect and track submarines in the waters close to the battle group, screening the ships from the undersea threat.

The HH-60H was outfitted for combat search and rescue and special missions, built to recover downed aircrew and to operate where the situation was less than permissive. Together the two variants gave the squadron the reach to protect the fleet beneath the surface and to safeguard the men who flew above it.

In the Cruise

Throughout the 1994–95 WESTPAC deployment, the helicopter squadron stood plane-guard during the carrier’s flight operations, its aircraft airborne whenever jets were launching and recovering, ready to respond to an aircraft in the water. The squadron also flew anti-submarine patrol around the battle group.

As the air wing operated across the Pacific and into the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, the squadron held its combat search and rescue role in readiness. Should an aircrew have gone down, the Seahawks stood prepared to carry out the recovery.

Crew Roster

Officers, aircrew, and maintainers of HS-2 “Golden Falcons,” CVW-2, USS Constellation (CV-64), 1994–95 WESTPAC. Names transcribed from the original cruise book; each links to that Sailor’s page in the scanned book. See a misspelling or a shipmate we missed? Tell us and we’ll fix it.

See HS-2’s pages in the cruise book →

Squadron insignia: official U.S. Navy/Marine Corps insignia (public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.

Questions & Answers

What helicopters did HS-2 fly?

HS-2 flew the SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawk helicopters.

What is plane-guard duty?

Plane-guard is a helicopter stationed near the carrier during flight operations, ready to rescue aircrew if an aircraft goes into the water during launch or recovery.

What was the helicopter squadron's rescue role?

The squadron held the combat search and rescue mission, prepared to recover downed aircrew, including from hostile territory, using the HH-60H Seahawk.

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