HS-75

• Origins: Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 75 (HS-75), also known as "Emerald Knights," was established in 1970 as a U.S. Navy Reserve squadron. • Reserve Role: HS-75 was a Naval Reserve squadron, primarily composed of part-time sailors and officers, supporting both peacetime and potential wartime operations. • Home Base: The squadron was based at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, for the majority of its operational life. • Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King: HS-75 operated the venerable SH-3 Sea King helicopter, a workhorse for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR), and logistics missions. • Cold War Mission: During the Cold War, HS-75 played a critical role in training and preparing for anti-submarine operations against potential Soviet submarine threats in the Atlantic. • Carrier Deployments: Though a Reserve unit, HS-75 regularly deployed detachments aboard aircraft carriers, integrating with active-duty squadrons for major fleet exercises. • Disaster Relief: HS-75 participated in humanitarian and disaster relief missions, providing helicopter support during emergencies such as natural disasters. • Deactivation: The squadron was disestablished on 1 October 1994 as part of post-Cold War military downsizing and restructuring. • Legacy: Many former members of HS-75 continued their military careers in other squadrons or brought their expertise to civilian aviation and emergency services. • Unit Insignia: HS-75’s patch featured a green knight on horseback, symbolizing the squadron’s "Emerald Knights" nickname and its tradition of readiness and valor.