HS-6 History
Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Six was commissioned on June 1, 1956, aboard USS PRINCETON (CVS-37) midway between the islands of Formosa and Okinawa. The squadron is now home based at NAS North Island, California. Initially, the squadron flew the HO4S, but two years later transitioned to the SH-34 and gained a new mission; antisubmarine warfare. In 1962 the squadron began transitioning to a new aircraft when Sikorsky's SH-3A Sea King entered the fleet. Several years later HS-6 became the first Navy squadron to fly an upgraded version of the SH-3A with AQS-13 dipping sonar. The Sea King, incorporating numerous additional upgrades over the years, would take HS-6 into the 1990s.
Along the way, the squadron built a history and reputation worthy of the name, "World Famous Indians." HS-6 participated in the recovery of Mercury Program Astronauts Wally Schirra in 1962, and Gordon Cooper in 1963. In 1966, in support of American strikes into Vietnam, the "Indian Gals" flying specially configured SH-3s (affectionately known as Big Mothers) rescued 16 downed aviators. Returning to Yankee Station in 1967, the squadron again resumed Combat SAR responsibilities and rescued another 13 downed airmen before turning over SAR responsibilities to the newly-formed HC-7. After the USS Kearsarge was decommissioned, HS-6 next deployed aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62) to the Mediterranean. In 1974, the squadron began to deploy on CVs with its first CV cruise on the USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64). HS-6 joined the Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11)/USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) team in 1981. The "Indians" were on board when ENTERPRISE became the first nuclear carrier to go through the Suez Canal in response to the Libyan crisis in 1986.
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HS-6's first iteration of Sea Kings in early paint scheme
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HS-6 Officers in 1964-65 |
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HS6 Apollo Soyuz Pickup Enjoyed looking through your web site. Brought back many memories of my days in HS6. I was an AW back in those days (1973 – 1976). Thought you might be interested in this picture from the Apollo Soyuz pickup which HS6 flew on. This picture was taken on July 24, 1975. The ship in the background is the USS New Orleans LPH-11. I believe the aircraft was primary recovery flown by the CO (CDR Pellerin) and ?, aircrew were AWC Bender and AW2 Coryell (if my memory serves me correctly). Even though I flew with the Indian Gals from 73 to 76, I wasn't aware of the big role in rescuing down pilots during the Viet Nam war. I had heard about the SAR duties the squadron performed, but never into any great detail. Cary Meriwether |
Previous Commanding Officers
 | R. R. Riley - December 1962 |
| Mark Starr - December 1963 |
Commanding Officers We Served Under
| George Seidel - December 1964 |
| Bob Vermilya - December 1965 |
| Warren Lockwood - October 1966 |
| Al Fox - July 1967 |
| F.X. McCarthy - May 1968 |
| Bill Reed - February 1969 |
| Frank Herndon - November 1969 |
Cruisebooks - the following cruisebook images were provided courtesy of Victor D. Graf, ADCS/Ret. who was in the HS-6 Powerplants Shop from August 1963 to November 1966. When he first joined HS-6, the squadron was flying both SH-34s and SH-3s
| 1963 Cruisebook - Commander R. R. Riley - Commanding Officer |
| 1964 Cruisebook - Commander Mark Starr - Commanding Officer |
Links:
HS-6 Web Site - Click on the pictures link in the left hand navigation frame for HS-6 50th Anniversary photos.
Updated: 06/22/08
