The “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 returned to their home base at Naval Air Station North Island in time for the holidays on Dec. 14, following a five month deployment with the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to the U.S. 7th and 5th Fleet areas of operation.
Deployed with Carrier Air Wing 9, the squadron embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., USS Stockdale and USS Spruance.
“Each and every Raptor gave their all to the team on this deployment,” said Cmdr. Ken Petkunas, commanding officer. “The Raptors conducted strenuous operations from start to finish and every single day over the entire five months.”
While operating in 5th Fleet, the Raptors participated in dual-carrier operations with the USS Theodore Roosevelt and supported critical operations to deter regional escalation, degrade Iranian-backed Houthi capabilities and ensure the safety of deployed U.S. Forces.
The Raptors executed 1,200 sorties totaling 3,300 flight hours to include 215 flight hours, and 1,860 deck landings. Their aircraft and crews provided around the clock surface and subsurface surveillance in the 7th and 5th Fleet areas of operations.
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane and USS Stockdale remain deployed in the 5th Fleet area of operations.
