Newly Named HSC 12 Carries on Rich Tradition

After 57 years of service, the longest standing helicopter squadron in Navy history, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 2 (HS-2), became the most recent squadron to transition to the MH-60S Seahawk Helicopter and changed its name to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 (HSC-12) during a ceremony on Naval Air Station North Island on August 6.

Despite the new command designation, aircraft and mission, at least one thing remained unchanged - the squadron's keeps its nickname, "Golden Falcons".

"The aircraft may look different, the name may be different, but the excellence, the history, the dedication, the courage and the legacy of HS-2 not only will remain, but that is the foundation that will be the bedrock that these men and women will use to build HSC-12's legacy from this day forward," said Cmdr. Terence Hoeft, a native of Livonia, Mich., HSC-12 commanding officer.

Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class (AW) John Alba, a Porterville, Calif., native, explained that he is looking forward to the new experience and is happy to be part of this transition.

"This is my first squadron, and it's going to be a great experience," said Alba. "It is a great experience to say that I am plankowner of the squadron, and I am very excited to be a part of it."

This transition is a major milestone for the "Golden Falcons," who were established March 7, 1952 as the first anti-submarine warfare helicopter squadron on the West coast.

The squadron has flown six different models of helicopters, most recently the SH-60F and HH-60H, which are now being retired as the squadron accepts MH-60S Seahawks. The squadron will lose the anti-submarine warfare mission, but HSC-12 will continue to focus on the core mission areas of search and rescue, combat search and rescue, naval special warfare, anti-surface warfare and logistics.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Sarah E. Bitter, Navy Public Affairs