HSM-46
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (May 2013) |
| Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Four Six | |
|---|---|
_insignia_2016.png) HSM-46 Insignia | |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Navy Helicopter Squadron |
| Role | Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) Anti-surface warfare (ASUW) Search and rescue (SAR) Medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) Vertical replenishment (VERTREP) Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) Communications Relay (COMREL) |
| Size | 300 |
| Part of | Carrier Air Wing 7 USS George H. W. Bush |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Air Station Jacksonville |
| Nickname(s) | Grandmasters |
| Motto(s) | Set the standard |
| Colors | |
| Mascot(s) | Knight (chess piece) |
| Anniversaries | Established at Mayport, Florida, on 7 April 1988 |
| Engagements | Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Global War on Terror |
| Website | http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/hsm46/ |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | CDR Andrew "Megan" Howerton |
| Executive Officer | CDR Kyle "Princess" Wiest |
| Command Master Chief | CMDCM Monica Bolton |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Multirole helicopter | MH-60R Seahawk MH-60R Seahawk |
Helicopter Maritime Strike Four Six (HSM-46), the "Grandmasters", are a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. HSM-46 deploys aboard cruisers, destroyers, and aircraft carriers in independent operations or in support of strike groups.[1] The squadron was established on 7 April 1988 as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) Forty Six (HSL-46)
Mission and history
[edit]HSM-46 deploys Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) program helicopters to United States Navy warships performing search and rescue, vertical replenishment, medical evacuation, and communications relay and combat missions. Established at Mayport, Florida, on 7 April 1988, HSM-46 currently deploys ten detachments aboard Atlantic Fleet ships. A detachment normally consists of one or two aircraft, five to six pilots, two to three sensor operators, a maintenance chief, and eight to twelve maintenance personnel. A typical detachment deploys with its assigned ship for six months, with several shorter work-up cruises prior to the long deployment. The squadron is directly responsible to Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
The squadron is currently assigned to Carrier Air Wing 7 on board the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush, replacing HSM-79.
Transition from HSL-46
[edit]HSL-46 was re-designated HSM-46 in March 2012 at Naval Station Mayport.