Description

HSC-85 Firebirds Plaque

A hand crafted 14 inch plaque of the HSC-85 Firebirds. Each plaque is carved from Mahogany and handpainted to provide a piece you’ll love!

• Length Diameter – 14 inches
• Made from Mahogany
• US Veteran Owned Business

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron EIGHT FIVE (HSC-85) is a United States Navy Reserve forces helicopter squadron (RESFORON) based out of Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. The “FIREHAWKS” of HSC-85 are Reserve and Active Component Sailors who operate and maintain Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk helicopters.

Mission
HSC-85 provides strategic depth to Commander, Naval Air Forces and deploys in response to requests for forces from geographic combatant commanders. HSC-85 is also charged with providing training and readiness support to United States Naval Special Warfare Command and other services’ special operations forces.

History
HSC-85 traces its lineage back through a number of previous aviation units, both active and reserve, all the way to the U.S. Navy’s first operational helicopter squadron, the FLEET ANGELS of Helicopter Utility Squadron ONE (HU-1) which was established April 1, 1948.[1] Former missions of anti-submarine warfare and logistics support and current missions of combat search and rescue and special operations support are also traceable back to HSC-85 predecessors.

HU-1 was re-designated as Helicopter Combat Support Squadron ONE (HC-1) in 1966 and deployed in detachments to support combat operations in Vietnam. The squadron continued to grow in size and in mission, leading to its breakup and formation of four new squadrons. Of these new squadrons, the SEA DEVILS of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SEVEN (HC-7) were assigned the “Combat Search and Rescue” mission and the SEAWOLVES of Helicopter Attack Squadron (Light) THREE (HA(L)-3) were assigned the “Special Operations Support” mission.

As the utility of helicopters continued to grow throughout U.S. Navy operations, “Anti-Submarine Warfare” helicopter units were stood-up to protect surface action groups from submarine threats and provide search and rescue capabilities and “Logistics Support” to the surface fleet.

As hostilities ended in Vietnam, the U.S. Navy recognized a need to form reserve aviation squadrons in order to retain combat experienced aviators and maintenance personnel leaving active service but desiring to remain in the ready reserve as citizen Sailors. In June 1975 Helicopter Wing Reserve (HELWINGRES) was established at NAS North Island and included (among other helicopter squadrons) the HA(L)-4 REDWOLVES and HA(L)-5 BLUEHAWKS performing the special operations support mission and the HC-9 PROTECTORS performing the combat search and rescue mission.