HSC-11 SQUADRON HISTORY
Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron ELEVEN was established on 27 June 1957 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Flying the HSS-1 Seabat helicopter, the squadron’s primary mission was Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) utilizing the Seabat’s dipping sonar. The HS-11 "Sub Seekers" were assigned to Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 52 (CVSG-52) with the tail code AS and deployed onboard USS WASP (CVS 18).
In 1962, the squadron transitioned to the Sikorsky twin engine SH-3A Sea King and would later upgrade to the SH-3D and SH-3H in 1969 and 1980, respectively. In November 1962, HS-11 sailed to the Caribbean onboard USS WASP to enforce the Cuban quarantine. Later that decade, the squadron played a leading role in astronaut recovery operations during the Gemini missions, plucking from the sea such famed astronauts as White, McDivitt, Lovell, and Aldrin. In December 1969, HS-11 became the first ASW helicopter squadron to deploy as part of a modern carrier air wing with CVW-17 onboard USS FORRESTAL (CVA 59). From 1970-1973, HS-11 was assigned to CVSG-56 deploying onboard USS INTREPID (CVS 11) with the tail code AU. On 17 October 1973, HS-11 moved to NAS Jacksonville and was re-assigned to Carrier Air Wing ONE (CVW-1). In 1976, the squadron was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for saving countless lives after ships collided at sea while attached to USS JOHN F KENNEDY (CV 67). In 1989, HS-11 changed its official call sign to Dragonslayers. HS-11 made deployments onboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67), USS AMERICA (CV 66), USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73), USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71), and the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65).
In 1994, HS-11 transitioned to the Sikorsky SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawk. The capabilities of this airframe allowed the squadron to greatly expand its mission areas. In addition to ASW and Search and Rescue, the Dragonslayers added Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), Vertical Replenishment, Naval Special Warfare Support, and Combat Search and Rescue.
Over the years, HS-11 also answered the call for hurricane relief efforts, including after Hurricane Andrew in 1993. In 1999, squadron SAR swimmers rescued nine men whose ship was sunk during Hurricane Floyd in winds over 50 knots and seas measuring 30 feet. In September 2008, as Hurricane Ike swept through Galveston, TX, HS-11 was the first Navy squadron on-station just hours after the hurricane moved overland.
In January 2010, the squadron detached four aircraft onboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) and sailed to Haiti in support of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake. In 2012, HS-11 embarked USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) for the "Big E's" final deployment. The Dragonslayers again deployed in 2015 aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. With seven aircraft aboard (3 SH-60Fs and 4 HH-60Hs), this marked the final deployment of these two series of aircraft, and the final deployment of an HS squadron.
Between January and October 2016, HS-11 moved to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, sun downed the HS community, and transitioned to the MH-60S Armed Helicopter. In 2017, the Dragonslayers began an arduous workup cycle, eventually deploying in April 2018 aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) as part of Carrier Strike Group EIGHT (CSG-8) and Carrier Air Wing ONE (CVW-1). The squadron returned in July 2018 having executed over 1,000 total flight hours in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and Commander, Sixth Fleet lines of effort.