About this Unit
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) at NAS Coronado was a key component of the U.S. Navy’s rotary-wing anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Established during the Cold War, HSL squadrons operated SH-2 Seasprite and later SH-60B Seahawk helicopters, providing surface fleet support from the strategically vital Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California. These squadrons played a crucial role in maritime patrol, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and logistical support missions. Their operations contributed significantly to the Navy’s readiness and power projection in the Pacific and beyond until HSL units were reorganized into Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) squadrons in the mid-2000s.
Historical Facts
• Origins: Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) units at NAS Coronado were first established in the late 1960s and 1970s to provide anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability for the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet.
• Location: NAS North Island, located in Coronado, California, has been home to multiple HSL squadrons, earning the base the nickname “Helicopter Capital of the World.”
• Primary Mission: HSL units specialized in deploying SH-2 Seasprite and later SH-60B Seahawk helicopters aboard smaller ships, such as frigates and destroyers, expanding their ASW and anti-surface capabilities.
• Cold War Operations: During the Cold War, HSL squadrons played a vital role in tracking and deterring Soviet submarines off the U.S. West Coast and across the Pacific Ocean.
• Carrier Independence: Unlike traditional carrier-based squadrons, HSL units provided independent helicopter detachments to multiple ships, increasing flexibility and coverage for the fleet.
• Transition to HSM: In the 2000s, many HSL squadrons at NAS Coronado were redesignated as Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) squadrons, reflecting expanded missions, including anti-piracy, search and rescue, and logistics.
• Gulf War Participation: HSL detachments from NAS Coronado were deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, providing critical surveillance and ASW support.
• Humanitarian Missions: HSL squadrons have participated in numerous disaster relief operations, including support after tsunamis and hurricanes, leveraging their versatile helicopters for rescue and supply drops.
• Women in Aviation: NAS Coronado’s HSL squadrons were among the first to integrate female pilots and aircrew into operational detachments, reflecting broader changes in Navy policy.
• Historic Aircraft: The SH-60B Seahawk, a staple of HSL units at Coronado, is renowned for its advanced sensors and weapons, setting the standard for naval helicopter operations worldwide.
