Navy to Hold Sundown Ceremony for SH-60B Sea Hawk Helicopter

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific is scheduled to host a Sundown Ceremony for the SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, May 11 at 3:30 p.m.

The Sundown Ceremony will commemorate 30 years of active service for the SH-60B.

The SH-60B joined the operational fleet in 1985 when the aircraft made its initial deployment with a Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 43 detachment aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37).

Since joining the fleet, the aircraft has completed more than 3.6 million flight hours in support of operations and training.

The last active-duty SH-60B detachment, which was a detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49 at Naval Air Station North Island, returned from a seven-month deployment aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Gary (FFG 51) to the U.S. 4th and 3rd Fleet areas of operation April 17.

Vice Adm. Paul A. Grosklags, principal military deputy, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisitions, will serve as the ceremony's guest speaker.

Capt. Shawn P. Malone, commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Pacific, and Capt. Clayton L. Conley, commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Atlantic, are also scheduled to speak at the ceremony.

The SH-60B Sea Hawk is being replaced by the MH-60R Sea Hawk, which is capable of executing the same missions as the SH-60B, but with significant advancements in mission systems that dramatically enhances its effectiveness. MH-60R aircraft carry out various missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, vertical replenishment, search and rescue, humanitarian relief and medical evacuation.

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