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 (Light) Forty Two (HSL-42) on 5 October 1984
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).
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 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
References
External links HSM-72 Official Website