HM-15 "Blackhawks" Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fifteen
Squadron History
HM-15 "Blackhawks" Insignia
Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron FIFTEEN (HM-15) "Blackhawks" was established on 2 January 1987 at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia. The first of two deployable, Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) squadrons to receive the Sikorsky MH-53E "Sea Dragon" helicopter. On 21 April 1987, HM-15 was ordered by the CNO to change duty stations to Naval Air Station Alameda, California. HM-15 began initial flight operations in July 1987, with the receipt of their first MH-53E. On 28 September 1987, three squadron aircraft departed NAS Norfolk and arrived at NAS Alameda on 1 October 1987, officially reporting for duty under operational and administrative control of Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
November 1987 marked a major flight training milestone for HM-15, as initial AMCM flight training commenced, employing the MK-105 Magnetic, Influence Minesweeping System (Hydrofoil), the MK-104 Acoustic, Influence Minesweeping System and the ANISPU-1W Shallow-Water, Magnetic, Influence Minesweeping System. In December, the squadron disassembled and loaded two MH-53E helicopters into a USAF C-5A Galaxy aircraft, certifying the "Sea Dragon" air transport capability for the Navy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
From January to June of 1988, squadron flight and ground training continued to focus heavily on AMCM operations, using the ANIAQS-14 Side-Scan Minehunting Sonar System and the MK-103 Mechanical Minesweeping System. By June, the squadron had developed requisite proficiency in all mission areas.
In July 1988, HM-15 successfully completed a Mine Warfare Readiness Certification Inspection (MRCI). In October 1988, the first squadron detachment deployed to NAS North Island to conduct minesweeping operations. In September 1989, the squadron embarked onboard USS Tripoli (LPH-10) for PACEX-89, a joint exercise conducted throughout WESTPAC with allies Japan, Korea, and the Republic of the Philippines.
In October 1989, HM-15 exercised its secondary mission of vertical onboard delivery by providing airlift for disaster relief efforts following the devastating Loma Prieta earthquake, which effected the San Francisco Bay Area, thereby earning the Humanitarian Service Medal.
From January 1991 through April 1992, HM-15 deployed a three aircraft, 100-man detachment to the Persian Gulf in direct support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The "Blackhawks" transported over 3.2 million pounds of cargo and more than 4,000 personnel in support of combat units in the theater.
During mid-1994, the CNO directed the reshaping of the AMCM force structure by ordering the integration of the BLACKHAWKS of HM-15 with its reserve sister squadron, the GOLDEN BEARS of HM-19. HM-19 was disestablished on 17 September 1994, with the integrated squadron maintaining the HM-15 designation, mascot and insignia. The integration was completed on 5 November 1994.
In 1995, HM-15 was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award and a second Meritorious Unit Commedation, as well as the Battle Efficiency Award.
With the slated closure of NAS Alameda on 30 June 1996, the permanent duty station of HM-15 was officially moved to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, after nearly nine years of operations under Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
MH-53E Sea Dragon Patch
Commanding Officers
| Commanding Officer | Date Assumed Command |
| CDR Don F. Beach | OCT 1985 |
| CDR John W. Tennant | APR 1987 |
| CDR Gary P. Tornatore | OCT 1988 |
| CDR Keith W. Martello | DEC 1989 |
| CDR Bruce F. Russell | JAN 1991 |
| CDR Brian E. Dewey | FEB 1992 |
| CDR Thomas B. Davilli | MAY 1993 |
| CDR William E. Shannon | SEP 1994 |
| CDR John F. Vuolo | SEP 1995 |
| CDR John A. Brown | SEP 1996 |
| CDR Vito W. Jimenez | SEP 1997 |
| CDR Dale Howell | DEC 1998 |
| CDR Robert F. Riehl | MAR 2000 |
A Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fifteen (HM-15) MH-53E "Sea Dragon" helicopter flys over the Pacific Ocean, after securing from minesweeping operations and heading back to Naval Air Station. Taken on 1 September 1990 by John R. Gaffney. ID# DN-ST-91-00230.
A Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fifteen (HM-15) MH-53E "Sea Dragon" helicopter conducts mine countermeasures operations, in San Francisco Bay near Naval Air Station, Alameda, California. Taken on 1 September 1990 by John R. Gaffney. ID# DN-ST-91-00231.
A Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (HM-15) KH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter tows a Mark 105 hydrofoil sled as a rigid hull inflatable boat (RIB) maintains its position beside the sled during a minesweeping exercise, part of the joint US/South Korean Exercise VALIANT BLITZ'90. Taken on 1 January 1990 by PHC Carolyn Harris. ID# DN-ST-93-01690.
A crewman kneels atop the main rotor hub of an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (HM-15) while performing a maintenance check. Taken at NAS Alameda on 1 January 1989 by PH2 Grzezdinski. ID# DN-ST-89-11357.
Links
Credit:Images and Squadron History provided by Mr. Robert M. Cieri.