HSM-46

Helicopter Maritime Strike Four Six (HSM-46), the "Grandmasters", are a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. HSM-46 deploys aboard cruisers, destroyers, and aircraft carriers in independent operations or in support of strike groups.^[1] The squadron was established on 7 April 1988 as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) Forty Six (HSL-46)

Squadron insignia during period of designation as HSL-46

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Four Six
HSM-46 Insignia
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Navy Helicopter Squadron
Role	Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) Anti-surface warfare (ASUW) Search and rescue (SAR) Medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) Vertical replenishment (VERTREP) Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) Communications Relay (COMREL)
Size	300
Part of	Carrier Air Wing 7 USS George H. W. Bush
Garrison/HQ	Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Nickname(s)	Grandmasters
Motto(s)	Set the standard
Colors
Mascot(s)	Knight (chess piece)
Anniversaries	Established at Mayport, Florida, on 7 April 1988
Engagements	Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Global War on Terror
Website	http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/hsm46/
Commanders
Commanding Officer	CDR Andrew "Megan" Howerton
Executive Officer	CDR Kyle "Princess" Wiest
Command Master Chief	CMDCM Monica Bolton
Aircraft flown
Multirole helicopter	MH-60R Seahawk MH-60R Seahawk

Mission and history

HSM-46 deploys Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) program helicopters to United States Navy warships performing search and rescue, vertical replenishment, medical evacuation, and communications relay and combat missions. Established at Mayport, Florida, on 7 April 1988, HSM-46 currently deploys ten detachments aboard Atlantic Fleet ships. A detachment normally consists of one or two aircraft, five to six pilots, two to three sensor operators, a maintenance chief, and eight to twelve maintenance personnel. A typical detachment deploys with its assigned ship for six months, with several shorter work-up cruises prior to the long deployment. The squadron is directly responsible to Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

The squadron is currently assigned to Carrier Air Wing 7 on board the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush, replacing HSM-79.

Transition from HSL-46

HSL-46 was re-designated HSM-46 in March 2012 at Naval Station Mayport.

See also

• History of the United States Navy
• US Navy Helicopter Squadrons
• MH-60R