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Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74 Returning From Deployment

Posted 8/5/20

NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE – The Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 “Swamp Foxes” will return home to Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Friday, Aug. 7, after a seven-month …

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Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74 Returning From Deployment


Posted

NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE – The Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 “Swamp Foxes” will return home to Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Friday, Aug. 7, after a seven-month deployment. HSM-74 departed NAS Jacksonville on Jan. 8, 2020 for pre-deployment exercises with Carrier Strike Group Ten aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), USS James E. Williams (DDG 95, and USS Truxtun (DDG 103).

The battle group deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility and spent a record-breaking 206 days at sea without a port call due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The squadron’s 11 MH-60R helicopters and 300 Sailors will all be home within the week.

Throughout the deployment, the MH-60R’s surveillance, strike coordination, intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities provided situational awareness and decision space for strike group warfare commanders.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the Swamp Fox team and our families. Each member executed their critical functions in a zero-fail environment, and all without a port call due to the global pandemic,” said Cmdr. Daniel Murphy, HSM-74 commanding officer. “Our pilots and aircrew deterred aggression around the globe while our maintainers and other support personnel completed crucial but monotonous tasks with daily excellence. During this time of national turmoil, our nation, our community should take pride in these exceptional men and women who have proven their resiliency. I am proud to be a part of this squadron and humbled to lead them.”