HM-15

• Origins: Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (HM-15), also known as the "Blackhawks," was established on 2 January 1987 at Naval Air Station Alameda, California. • Mission: HM-15 specializes in Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM), primarily using the MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter for detecting and neutralizing naval mines. • Relocation: The squadron relocated from NAS Alameda to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, in 1993 after the 1991 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission decisions. • Desert Storm: HM-15 played a critical role in Operation Desert Storm (1991), clearing mines from the Persian Gulf to ensure safe passage for coalition naval forces. • Humanitarian Missions: The unit participated in disaster relief efforts, such as Hurricane Katrina (2005), using their heavy-lift helicopters to deliver supplies and evacuate civilians. • Dual-Capable: HM-15 is one of the few Navy squadrons with both active-duty and reserve components, known as a "Full-Time Support" (FTS) squadron. • Aircraft: The squadron operates the Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon, the largest helicopter in the U.S. military, capable of towing minehunting sleds and conducting heavy-lift missions. • International Deployments: HM-15 has deployed to multiple locations worldwide, including the Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf, and Western Pacific, supporting both mine countermeasures and logistics missions. • Coastal Defense: Their mine countermeasures capability is a key part of U.S. Navy efforts to keep strategic waterways open and safe during both peacetime and conflict. • Nickname: The squadron’s official nickname is the “Blackhawks,” and their insignia features a stylized black hawk carrying a naval mine.