Seawolf History

From Naval Air Station Imperial Beach Welcome Aboard Book, 1968 Helicopter Combat Support Squadron One, formerly known as Helicopter Utility Squadron One, was commissioned at NAS Lakehurst in 1948 as the Navy’s first operational helicopter squadron. Shortly thereafter, the squadron was moved to NAS Miramar, where it achieved operational status, and in 1951 moved to it’s present location at Naval Air Station Imperial Beach. The squadron was redesignated Helicopter Combat Support Squadron One on 1 July 1965, as it more accurately described the mission of the command. Since commissioning, the squadrons primary mission of air sea rescue has remained unchanged. …

It is often said that necessity is the mother of invention. Nowhere in the annals of American aviation has this been more true than during the United States’ direct participation in the defense of the Republic of Vietnam. Pitted against an adversary who went to great lengths to conceal his movements and identity and who, at the same time, roamed a land of very diverse topography, the American forces in South Vietnam found themselves utilizing tactics and equipment unknown in previous conflicts. Air power has played a vital role in America’s strategic and tactical military doctrine since the Second World …

Reprinted from Proceedings with permission Copyright © (1999) U.S. Naval Institute A pioneer helicopter squadron, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron One (HC-1), the Fleet Angels, pushed the threshold of naval helicopter operations during it’s long history. It’s 21 detachments performed search and rescue and a wide range of utility services throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Pacific Fleet’s first helicopter squadron was established as Helicopter Utility Squadron One (HU-1) as NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey on 1 April 1948, moving to NAAS Ream Field, Imperial Beach, California, where it was based until 1976. Deploying detachments of HO3S-1 helicopters on carriers operating …

Journal American Aviation Historical Society, Winter, 1988 In 1962 when the gunship helicopter first went to Vietnam, it’s appearance initially caused a mild panic among the Viet Cong. But by 1970, that situation had long since changed and although the VC, along with their NVA comrades, still had a healthy respect for the armed helicopter, they were by no means intimidated by it. Heavy caliber weapons now were concentrated around their vital positions and they were quite willing to use them when directly threatened. Their helicopter tactics had been refined over the years and they were not the least bit …