HSM-71

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven One
HSM-71 insignia
Active4 October 2007 - present
Country United States of America
BranchUnited States Navy Seal United States Navy
RoleAnti-Surface Warfare (ASUW)
Under-Sea Warfare (USW)
Search & Rescue (SAR)
Part ofCarrier Air Wing 9
Garrison/HQNaval Air Station North Island
Nickname"Raptors"
Mottos"The First and the Finest"
EngagementsOperation Prosperity Guardian
Operation Poseidon Archer
Operation Epic Fury
Commanders
Current
commander		CDR Jessica L. Phenning

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven One (HSM-71), nicknamed the Raptors, is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. The squadron is assigned to Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9).

HSM-71 was established on 4 October 2007 as the United States Navy's first MH-60R Seahawk squadron. The squadron operates the MH-60R Seahawk and conducts anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and search-and-rescue missions.

The squadron received its first Battle Efficiency Award ("Battle E") in 2009 and was awarded the Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for excellence in anti-submarine warfare in both 2009 and 2010.

History

HSM-71 was established on 4 October 2007 as the United States Navy's first MH-60R Seahawk squadron. The squadron adopted the motto "First and Finest" and was formed as part of the Navy's transition to the MH-60R Seahawk maritime strike helicopter.

In 2009, the squadron received its first Battle Efficiency Award ("Battle E"). It was also awarded the Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for excellence in airborne anti-submarine warfare in both 2009 and 2010.

In 2024, the squadron returned to Naval Air Station North Island following a five-month deployment with the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. During the deployment, HSM-71 operated as part of Carrier Air Wing 9 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln and aboard escorting destroyers within the strike group.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "About Us". Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  2. 1 2 "HSM-71 Squadron Patches". Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  3. ↑ DVIDS (16 December 2024). "The 'Raptors' of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron return from deployment". The Coronado News. Retrieved 3 June 2026.