AT3 Tai Cook and AM3 Steven Paulsen conduct a ''hot refuel'' of Proud Warrior 421 aboard USS Hawes (FFG 53) while SPS Cataluna of Spain watches in the background. -Photo by AD2(AW) Arthur Novak

'Crazy Eights' Keeping Watch in Mediterranean

By Lt.j.g. Jeff Schell
HSL-42

The men of HSL-42 Detachment Eight, also known as the 'Crazy Eights', are currently forward deployed on the USS Hawes (FFG 53) in the Mediterranean Sea.

The voyage began in December 2002 when the Hawes, home ported in Norfolk Virginia, deployed with the Harry S. Truman Battle Group.

After the transit to the Mediterranean with the Battle Group, the detachment enjoyed port visits to Rota, Spain and rang in the New Year in Toranto, Italy.

AE1(AW) Paul Alexander became well know both onboard Hawes and throughout the Italian Navy Base for his BBQ skills when Hawes conducted a Beer-on-the-pier exercise. The Crazy Eights finished off the first week of the new year by receiving word that AT3 Tai Cook had been selected as HSL-42's Plane Captain of the Quarter for his diligence as an AT and a Plane Captain.

Hawes and the Helicopter Detachment then sailed to Souda Bay, Greece. While in Souda, the Hawes officially assumed duties as a member of the multi-national Standing Naval Forces Mediterranean (SNFM).

This port visit also included a briefing to the SNFM Commander, Commodore Phillip Wirth of the Royal Netherlands Navy on the capabilities that the Crazy Eights bring to SNFM operations.

The mission of SNFM is to act as the Maritime Immediate Reaction Force of NATO in the Mediterranean by maintaining a Recognized Maritime Picture (RMP) in order to sustain a high degree of force readiness in the region. This mission is known as Operation Active Endeavour, and is SNFM's support of the global war on terrorism. After one month of operating under the SNFM command, the Crazy Eights and Proud Warrior 421 have become an invaluable war-fighting asset to the SNFM task force.

Through real world operations, the Hawes and Detachment Eight have smoothly integrated into the operations of other NATO countries, including a new way to speak. Proud Warrior 421 has conducted several FLYEXs (cross-deck training) with the ITS Scirocco and the ITS Mimbelli (both Italian ships), the FGS Augsburg from Germany, and the HS Elli from Greece.

The Seahawk detachment has also developed close ties with several helicopter detachments from around Europe including a Lynx detachment from the United Kingdom, embarked aboard the HMS Northumberland, and Augusta Bell 212 detachments onboard the ITS Scirocco and the HS Elli.

Flying more than 160 hours in direct support of NATO operations and exercises, the multi-mission, all-weather capability of the SH-60B Seahawk helicopter has made her a weapon of choice throughout the SNFM task force.

Though the operational demand has been heavy when at sea, the crew has still taken the time while in port to participate in fellowship ''football'' (soccer) games with the SNFM ships, including teams from Germany, Turkey, and Greece. Scores from these games are classified CONFIDENTIAL with the ''football'' team showing steady improvement. The Helo Det/Hawes team's most recent match ended in a tie.