HSM-72

HSM-72 Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven-Two, also known as Proud Warriors is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The Proud Warriors are a part of Carrier Air Wing One and deploy aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).^[1] The squadron was established as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) Forty Two (HSL-42) on 5 October 1984

Squadron insignia during period of designation as HSL-42

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 72 (HSM-72)
HSM-72 Proud Warriors Insignia
Active	5 October 1984 - present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Navy Helicopter Squadron
Role	Surface Warfare (SUW) Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Part of	CVW-1
Garrison/HQ	NAS Jacksonville
Nickname(s)	"Proud Warriors"
Motto(s)	"Principled, Disciplined, Confident"
Colors	Red and Blue
Mascot(s)	Native American Indian
Engagements	Global War on Terror Operation Prosperity Guardian Operation Poseidon Archer
Commanders
Current commander	Commander John G. Zilai

Mission

The squadron employs the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. Primary missions include Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (SUW), Command, Control, Communications (CCC), Command and Control (C2) Search and Rescue (SAR), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS), and Communications Relay (COMREL).^[2]

Transition from HSL-42

HSL-42 was redesignated HSM-72 on 15 January 2013 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The change reflected their transition from employing the SH-60B to the MH-60R, as well as from a detachment-based, expeditionary squadron to its realignment in support of a carrier air wing. As part of this transition, then-HSL-42 relocated to NAS Jacksonville from their previous home of Naval Station Mayport.^{[citation needed]}

History

In late September 2024, HSM-72 and their MH-60Rs departed the US as part of CVW-1 on a scheduled deployment aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).

Following multiple exercises with European militaries, HSM-72 and CVW-1 were ordered to operate in the Red Sea in defense of international shipping lanes and Israel against Houthi/Iran proxy military unit attacks from Yemen. HSM-72 and CVW-1 arrived in the CENTCOM AOR in mid December 2024 with combat operations against the Houthis/Iranians commencing upon arrival to the Red Sea.

Airstrikes were undertaken against the Houthis/Iranians for much of the later half of December 2024 through April 2025. Strikes against the Houthis/Iranian proxy military units in Yemen increased significantly following March 15, 2025, with HSM-72 and CVW-1 conducting increased sorties on a larger set of enemy targets.

Awards

•   Meritorious Unit Commendation
•   National Defense Service Medal
•   Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
•   Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
•   Navy E Ribbon
• Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award
• Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy
• Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy
• Blue "M" for Medical Readiness
• CHSMWINGLANT Talon Award

See also

• History of the United States Navy
• List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons