Command History
The history of Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West is rich and varied. In1946, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1 was established at NAS Key West and for the next three decades conducted airborne antisubmarine warfare (ASW) systems evaluation out of Boca Chica, Florida, while Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 1 conducted Atlantic Fleet helicopter fleet replacement training in the SH-3 Sea King helicopter out of the former seaplane base at Trumbo Point, Florida. In addition to their primary mission, these squadrons provided critical SAR capability the Key West area. This continued until the late 1960s/early 1970s when these squadrons relocated to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, and NAS Jacksonville, Florida, respectively, with HS-1 having an intermediate base assignment to NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island, prior to its final relocation to NAS Jacksonville.
Over time, the SAR mission was transferred to NAS Key West where SAR helicopters have been involved in several notable operations. During Hurricane Andrew in 1992, SAR teams played a crucial role in rescuing stranded residents and providing emergency medical assistance. Helicopters were used to reach areas that were otherwise inaccessible due to flooding and debris, showcasing the critical importance of aerial rescue operations in disaster response. In 1994, during the Cuban Migrant Crisis, NAS Key West’s SAR helicopters were instrumental in locating and rescuing individuals in distress. The helicopters conducted numerous missions to save lives, often operating in challenging conditions to ensure the safety of the migrants.
More recently, on June 1, 2020, an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter crew from NAS Key West responded to a small plane crash 30 miles north of Key West. The crew successfully rescued two individuals from the crash site. Additionally, in May 2023, a U.S. Navy F-5N Tiger II aircraft from Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC )111, the “Sun Downers,” experienced a technical issue during a training flight near Key West. The pilot had to eject from the aircraft approximately 25 miles from Boca Chica Field. A Key West SAR MH-60S Seahawk helicopter launched and successfully rescued the pilot from the ocean. The pilot was then transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami for further evaluation.
These events highlight the critical role that SAR helicopters at NAS Key West have played in both military and humanitarian missions over the years. Their contributions have been vital in ensuring safety and providing aid during emergencies.
The primary mission of Station SAR Key West is to support tactical fixed-wing flight operations based out of NAS Key West and its surrounding ranges. Station SAR maintains a 30-minute alert status, ensuring a 2-hour response time within a 200-nautical-mile radius. This coverage includes the Key West Airspace Complex, encompassing overwater Warning Areas to the south between the Florida Keys and Cuba, extending west beyond the Dry Tortugas, and reaching northwest over the Gulf of Mexico. The Airspace Complex encompasses approximately 27,000 square miles.
Recently, the unit was honored with the 2023 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Search and Rescue Model Manager Aviation Unit of the Year award. They have also developed new SAR techniques and procedures applicable fleet wide. Their dedication to innovation and collaboration with other services has propelled the entire Naval Aviation Enterprise forward.