Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 47 “Saberhawks” returned to Naval Air Station North Island Aug. 4, after a five-month deployment to the Western Pacific.

The squadron, assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, was embarked aboard USS Shoup (DDG 86) as part of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, CSG 9.

“I was mostly impressed with the way the men and women in this squadron came together as a team during the exercises and conquered any obstacle that came in their way,” said HSL-47 Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Dan Boyle.

The exercises HSL-47 participated in were Undersea Warfare Exercise, Foal Eagle, Valiant Shield and Rim of the Pacific.

The primary mission of HSL-47 is to provide combat-ready detachments to U.S. Pacific Fleet surface combatants.

While conducting naval security operations, CSG 9 traveled more than 60,000 miles, making port visits to Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and Hawaii, assisting local nationals while in port.

“Community relations projects were set up and stressed to the Sailors because of how much of a difference we can make,” said Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Chris Hlynka, assigned to HSL-47.

“We would work in soup kitchens, and we actually built a house. It was a great feeling.”

In April, the “Saberhawks” received the 2005 Chief of Naval Operations Search and Rescue Model Manager Excellence Award and received the CNO nomination for the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award.

Fifteen personnel were promoted, and 29 earned their Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualification. Additionally, six more earned their Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification.

“One of our objectives was to help develop personal skills, as well as warfare qualifications, to improve the overall wellbeing of these Sailors,” said Boyle.

“I think these Sailors went above and beyond what was expected of them.”

[ANN Salutes Mass Communication Specialist Michelle Rhonehouse, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific]

FMI: www.hsl47.navy.mil