Gents, I've put together aletter and several attachments to give to our local congressman. The letter is an appeal, and the attachments provide historical information, data and most importantly, reasons why HSC-84 & 85 should not be decommissioned.
Anyone who wants copies to send to your congressmen, please email me. Feel free to adapt or re-write the cover letter. the letter follows.
Representative Joe Courtney 12/17/2014
Congressman for Connecticut’s Second District
c/o Enfield, CT Regional Office
77 Hazard Ave, Unit J, Enfield, CT 06082
Subject: HSC-84 Red Wolves & HSC-85 Fire Hawks, U.S. Navy
Dear Mr. Courtney,
I spoke with you briefly on Saturday in Enfield at the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cemetery about the proposed decommissioning of two Navy Helicopter Squadrons, HSC-84 (Red Wolves) and HSC-85 (Fire Hawks). I would like to give you some background on the missions of those squadrons and some history to show the continued need for specialized Naval Close Air support for Naval Riverine and Special Warfare Units.
The following two notes were recently received on the U.S. Navy Seawolf forum at (www.seawolf.org).
1. Seawolves, Once again the 2 Navy helo squadrons that carry on one of the most cherished and honorable legacies in Naval aviation (that of the HAL-3 Seawolves) are in danger of decommissioning in 2016. In case you haven't seen the story, I've included a link to it below. We could really use the lobbying power of the mighty Seawolves to effectively engage Congress.
http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2014/12/07/navy-spec-ops-helicoper-squadrons-shutdown/70025352/2. I hope I am not intruding in forum.....I trust you know that we in the Redwolves and Firehawks hold you all in the highest regard for all that you have done.
Long story short once again the Navy is looking to make cuts to save $$ and 84/85 are likely targets. I received a letter from CAPT (ret) Sean Butcher to as many alumni as he knew suggesting that all of us get in touch with our congress reps especially those on armed services committee. I cannot understand why the Navy would choose to do this ...
I don't know if any of you all know of any congressmen/women or any other connections that could help the fight, but I also ask for your prayers.
There have been several very positive responses to these requests posted on the Seawolf Forum.
Some brief History:
In the early days of the Viet Nam War, the Navy was tasked with riverine and coastal warfare. In response the Navy Special Warfare, (NSW) provided Seal Team Units, River Patrol Boats (PBR) and Swift Boats, among many other types of craft.
Initially the Navy relied on Army Helicopter Support, and it quickly became apparent that the Army units were unable to meet the Navy’s all weather, round the clock, ship-board operations requirements. Many Army pilots were not instrument rates, and their helos were not equipped for over water operations. The Navy felt the need for a dedicated Naval Helicopter Unit for close air combat support for the Riverine units.
Navy pilots were accustomed to ship-board – over water operations, all were instrument rated and could fly in all type of weather and low/no visibility operations. The Army helos used by the Navy were modified to meet Navy’s requirements, mainly by the addition of a radar altimeter… The HAL-3 Seawolves were born and went on to become one of the most versatile and respected Naval Units in the Viet Nam era.
The HAL-3 Squadron was commissioned in April, 1967, and was de-commissioned in March, 1972.
After 1972 the Navy began a cycle of commissioning and decommissioning 2 Naval Helicopter units with similar mission responsibilities, which evolved into HSC-84 & HSC-85.
In 2006 The Navy resurrected a Riverine type of force in the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, (NECC). These Naval Special Warfare Units and the SEAL Teams all have need of dedicated Helicopter Support, and often these Helicopter units are called upon to provide Close Air Combat Support in the form of Seal Insertions, Medevacs, Rescue Operations and Direct Fire Support, (Rocket & Gun).
We tend to forget the lessons learned over the years as evidenced by the decommissioning of these essential Naval Units. Many say that the Navy Units can call on Army Helicopter Support or for UAV’s. We learned in RVN that Army Helo tactics will not always meet Naval maritime and riverine requirements; there are differences in terminology, language, tactics, priorities and missions. UAV’s will certainly be able to provide visibility and firepower, but the UAV’s cannot do Seal Insertions, rescue and medevac operations, and provide really, really close direct fire support from a low-level, gunner & pilot on site, up close and personal situation.
I would like to request that you do whatever you can to keep these two units flying. The decommissioning of these two squadrons will reduce Special Operations Helicopter Support to all SOF Units: Army, Navy Air Force and Marines by 45%, and, as history shows, will very significantly reduce NSW, Riverine and Maritime Special Operations Helo Support and most importantly the effectiveness of those units.
I am sure that all of the many NSW units who benefit from the Red Wolves and Fire Hawks will certainly appreciate your support.
I am available to you and the Armed Forces Committee and/or The Subcommittee on Seapower should you need further information, and, I am sure I can have many former Red Wolf & Seawolf Officers and Crewmen available, as well.
Thank You
Richard N. Meussner, (U.S. Navy HAL-3 Seawolves, 1967-1968)
16 Pease St.
Enfield, CT 06082
860-741-2493
rinome@cox.net
enclosures:
a. Talking Points HSC-84 & HSC-85 Support to SOF
b. Timeline of Events HSC-84 & HSC-85 Sequestration/ALT-POM Discussions Between SOCOM and U.S. Navy
c. HSC-84 & HSC-85 Historical Facts
d. Navy Times Dec. 7, 2014 “Two Spec Ops Helo Squadrons Imperiled by Budget Battle"
e. The History of the Red Wolves
f. HSC-84 Recognized with Four Awards
g. HSC-85 Always Ready for the Call of Duty & HSC-85 Takes on New Role Supporting Special Warfare Operations
h. 111th Congress 2nd Session House Resolution 1228 dated July 1, 2010
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