Marines

Photo Information

Members of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 Detachment 3 execute a fly-off from the USS Halsey. The detachment returned to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay Feb. 5, 2015. (Courtesy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Thomas Weston)

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Thomas Weston

'Easyriders' Det. 3 returns home

20 Feb 2015 | Ensign McKenzie Brannon Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 Detachment 3 returned to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay after a seven-month Western Pacific deployment onboard USS Halsey.

Detachment 3’s 26 officers and sailors embarked on July 7, 2014 under the direction of their officer in charge, Lt. Cmdr. Don Wallace. Having completed 720 flight hours and 214 deployed days supporting Seventh Fleet operational objectives, Det. 3 and USS Halsey returned Feb. 5, 2015.

In preparation for their departure, both units participated in composite training events to ensure effective surface-aviation integration during their time in the Pacific Theater. Having completed Initial Ship Aviation Team Training in December 2013, Det. 3 and USS Halsey participated in local exercise “Koa Kai” and traveled to the California coast for Third Fleet’s annual Composite Training Unit Exercise with USS Carl Vinson.

These exercises focused on the integration and employment of surface, subsurface, and aviation assets while providing the opportunity for both units to operate in a simulated combat environment. The detachment and USS Halsey left these exercises with the ability to support the United States Navy’s underlying objective; projection of naval power at sea.

During their Seventh Fleet deployment, Det. 3 engaged in several additional multinational exercises, including Cooperation and Readiness Afloat Training Singapore, Silent Banshee, Valiant Shield and Keen Sword.

During this time, Det. 3 conducted anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, high value unit, and cross-deck landing operations with three different nations. This training served to improve maritime partnerships and tactical coordination with allied nations in an increasingly contested naval theater. “As we rebalance to the Pacific, our role as international ambassadors cannot be overstated,” said Cmdr. Brannon Nickel, HSM-37 commanding officer. “I am grateful for Det. 3’s positive interactions with our allied partners.”

The detachment further supported operational objectives by conducting presence operations in the East and South China Seas, as well as ASW taskings from Commander Task Force 74. The USS Halsey additionally conducted an Oceanic Maritime Security Initiative patrol in the vicinity of the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru and American equatorial Exclusive Economic Zones while returning to Pearl Harbor.

These missions were, and continue to be a critical part of ensuring freedom of navigation around the world.



Marine Corps Base Hawaii