Hsl-94 Titans Deactivated

0 Comments | Naval Aviation News, March, 2001

Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light (HSL) 94 will be officially deactivated at NAS Willow Grove, Pa., on 1 April 2001 after more than 15 years of service. Cdr. William Paul Birch is the last CO of the Titans.

HSL-94 was established at Willow Grove on 1 October 1985 as the third HSL squadron in the Naval Reserve. The Titans initially were equipped with the SH-2F Seasprite light airborne multipurpose system (LAMPS) MK I helicopter, and upgraded to the SH-2G during the mid-1990s. The squadron assumed the missions of antisubmarine warfare; over-the-horizon targeting; mine countermeasures; search and rescue; naval gunfire spotting; and reconnaissance and logistics.

The Titans maintained seven detachments that routinely embarked on board Naval Reserve frigates. These detachments frequently conducted drug-interdiction operations in the Caribbean in cooperation with regular Navy and Coast Guard forces.

During the late 1990s, HSL-94 became the only Navy squadron to deploy the Magic Lantern mine-hunting laser sensor system.

The deactivation of HSL-94 leaves only one Navy squadron flying the SH-2 helicopter--HSL-84 at NAS North Island, Calif. The SH-60B LAMPS MK III helicopter will replace the SH-2G in the Naval Air Reserve when HSL-60 is established at NS Mayport, Fla., in April.