page_title: Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 9
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 9 / History
caption_attribution_description: Sikorsky SH-34J Seabat helicopters of helicopter anti-submarine squadron HS-9 Sea Griffins take off from the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVS-9) in 1962. HS-9 was assigned to Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 60 (CVSG-60).
context_page_description: Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 9 was the designation of two Helicopter Antisubmarine Warfare Squadrons of the United States Navy. The first squadron bearing the designation HS-9 was established on 1 June 1956 at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island with five HSS-1N “Seabat” helicopters. The squadron was disestablished on 1 October 1968. Eight years later, a new squadron was established on 4 June 1976, it was also designated HS-9. It deployed eight, Sikorsky SH-3H “Sea Kings”. That squadron was disestablished on 30 April 1993.
  The second squadron designated HS-9 saw combat in the Middle East during the 1990-1991 Gulf War and deployed around the globe, including the Arctic Circle and Cape Horn. The squadron also appeared on the silver screen in the movie The Final Countdown.
  The “Sea Griffins” adopted a uniform patch design that included a Griffin standing on the deck of an aircraft carrier breaking a submarine into two pieces.
context_section_description: First Squadron designated HS-9
  On 1 June 1956, the Navy's first all weather helicopter squadron was established at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron NINE (HS-9) "Sea Griffins". The squadron began with five HSS-1N “Seabat” helicopters flown and supported by 20 officers and 100 enlisted men (tail code "HE"). HS-9 was first assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Leyte (CVS-32) and made two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean in 1957 and 1958. After retirement of the Leyte, HS-9 was assigned to the USS Valley Forge (CVS-45) and operated in the Atlantic Ocean in 1959.
  On 2 May 1960, HS-9 joined with anti-submarine squadrons VS-34 Proud Tigers and VS-39 Hoot Owls in ceremonies establishing Carrier Antisubmarine Air Group 60 (CVSG-60) (tail code "AW"), thus forming the genesis of the Hunter/Killer Groups of the 1960s and early 1970s. From 1960 to 1966 CVSG-60 operated from the deck of USS Essex (CVS-9) in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. In September 1962 in compliance with the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system the squadron's HSS-1N helicopters were redesignated the SH-34J “Seabat”. In October 1962 the Sea Griffins flew numerous antisubmarine and surface ship surveillance missions in support of the quarantine of Cuba. At its peak in 1964, HS-9 had a complement of 50 officers and 260 enlisted men. In 1963 HS-9 transitioned to the Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King.
  By the time the squadron celebrated its tenth birthday in 1966, it had acquired over 55,000 flight hours and more than 15,000 ship-board landings. In 1966 CVSG-60 made a single deployment aboard the Randolph. From May to September 1967 a four aircraft detachment (HS-9 Detachment 66) embarked in USS America (CV 66) in support of initial feasibility studies of the "CV Concept."  While aboard, the Sea Griffins aided in the evacuation of casualties from USS Liberty (AGTR-5), which was attacked in the Mediterranean during the October 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict. From February to June 1968 CVSG-60 made a last deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, again in Essex. After this tour Essex was retired, and VS-34, VS-39 and HS-9 were disestablished on 1 October 1968.
  Second squadron designated HS-9
  Just short of eight years later, on June 4, 1976, a new squadron was established and designated HS-9. This new squadron was established at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, under the command of Commander Robert L. Dalton, U.S. Navy, with a force of eight Sikorsky SH-3H "Sea King" helicopters. It adopted the name Sea Griffins in honor of the former HS-9. After intensive training ashore and aboard USS Saratoga (CV-60), the squadron joined Carrier Air Wing EIGHT CVW-8 and in August 1977 deployed to the Mediterranean aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68). During workups for the next cruise, the filming of the movie Final Countdown aboard USS Nimitz gained HS-9 its debut on the silver screen.
  The modern-day Sea Griffins' second Mediterranean deployment was interrupted in January 1980 when the Nimitz/CVW-8 team was dispatched to the Indian Ocean in response to the Iranian crisis. While on "Gonzo Station:' HS-9 continued to fly its diverse missions in support of the battle group as Nimitz set a new record for consecutive days at sea. The 1981-82 Mediterranean cruise saw the Sea Griffins expand their already long tradition of ASW readiness. The squadron pioneered the "Flex-Deck" concept, introduced its close-in ASW defense techniques to the nuclear cruisers USS Texas (CGN-39) and USS Mississippi (CGN-40), shattered the submarine contact time record for current frontline HS Squadrons and became the first HS squadron ever to win the coveted Sixth Fleet "Hook-em" award for ASW excellence.  This tradition of ASW readiness continued during the 1982-83 Mediterranean cruise. HS-9 was awarded its second "Hook-em" award and the prestigious Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for overall excellence and superior performance in anti-submarine warfare. HS-9 participated in numerous training evolutions during USS Nimitz's extensive overhaul and 
caption: SH-34J Seabats from HS-9 on the USS Essex, 1962.
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