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. The squadron was established as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Forty Two on 5 October 1984

Mission

The squadron employs the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. Primary missions include Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Command, Control, Communications, Command and Control Search and Rescue, Medical Evacuation, Vertical Replenishment, Naval Surface Fire Support, and Communications Relay.

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.

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.
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