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The Final Flight: Honoring the Legacy of HSC-85 Firehawks

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For 30 years, the U.S. Navy’s HH-60H (foreground) has supported American forces in theaters around the world. Its replacement, the MH-60S (background) will continue this tradition for years to come. Photo Credit: Skip Robinson

In the annals of naval aviation history, few squadrons boast a lineage as storied and distinguished as the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85, known as the “Firehawks.” Commissioned in July 1970, HSC-85 stood as the Navy Reserve’s bastion of excellence and commitment for more than five decades.

As we reflect on its 53-year service history and its recent deactivation in September 2023, we pay tribute to a squadron synonymous with valor, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to supporting Fleet and Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operations.

From its humble beginnings to becoming the oldest continually serving Navy Reserve squadron, HSC-85’s operational resume reads like a testament to resilience and adaptability. Tasked with missions ranging from Anti-Submarine Warfare and Combat Logistics to Personnel Recovery and Special Operations Support, HSC-85 has been pivotal in shaping the contours of naval aviation support capabilities.

The squadron’s involvement in the HA(L)-3 Seawolves’ dedicated support to NSW and HC-7’s Combat Search and Rescue missions engrained HSC-85 into the very fabric of naval history, bridging a 57-year narrative of unwavering support and operational excellence.

The recent deactivation ceremony marks not just an end but a somber reflection on the changing tides of naval aviation needs and capabilities. The disbanding saw more than 400 active, Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR), and Selected Reserve (SELRES) Sailors dispersing to various commands, with the stark reduction of flying billets for Reserve HSC pilots from more than 54 to approximately 17 post-deactivation—a 69% decrease.

Similarly, maintainers faced a significant dilemma, with many transitioning to other platforms due to the diminished reserve HSC community. The final flight on June 30, 2023 and the subsequent transfer of the squadron’s uniquely modified MH-60S Seahawk helicopters signified a poignant farewell to an era defined by commitment and adaptability.

HSC-85’s narrative extends beyond its fleet and special operations roles to embody the ongoing conversations between the Navy and Congress regarding aviation inventory, capability, and sustainability. The squadron’s deactivation underlines larger, systemic shifts in prioritization and resource allocation within Navy Reserve aviation, stirring debates and legislative actions aimed at addressing the operational impacts of such a significant transition. The FY24 NDAA – HR2670, prompted by concerns over the squadron’s loss, underscores the strategic necessity of maintaining a robust and ready reserve aviation capability.

The deactivation, while marking the end of an operational chapter, also opens a door to potential reactivation in the future, preserving the squadron’s distinguished history, name, symbology, and lineage. This provision underscores a profound understanding of HSC-85’s unique contributions and the hope that its legacy will once again take to the skies.

The HSC-85 “Firehawks” may have concluded their final operational sortie, but their legacy soars on, immortalized in the annals of naval aviation history and in the memories of those who had the privilege to witness their dedication to duty. The squadron’s deactivation is not merely an operational footnote but a call to reflect on the indispensable role of Reserve components in maintaining the operational versatility and global reach of the United States Navy.

In honoring the legacy of HSC-85, we recognize the indelible mark the squadron has left on naval aviation and the unquenchable spirit of innovation and resilience that defines the very best of the United States Navy Reserve.

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