HSL-48 Detachment 10 Home

Detachment 10 was deployed in the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO) Area of Focus onboard the Norfolk-based frigate USS Hawes (FFG 53). Members of Detachment 10 were welcomed on the Mayport pier by excited family members and fellow HSL-48 squadron-mates.

When asked how it felt to finally be home and see his girlfriend and dog after six months, Lt. Kevin "Sidecar" Shikuma, Detachment 10 Maintenance Officer, said, "I am so happy to see them and I can't wait to take a shower without wearing shower shoes."

HSL-48 Detachment 10 participated in several multi-national operations in support of the CIT mission spanning the duration of their six-month deployment. In the early summer months of 2009, Detachment 10 was attached to a multi-nation coalition conducting maritime security operations in support of the 5th Summit of the Americas Conference.

The conference was hosted in Trinidad and Tobago and featured world leaders from the Americas, including President Obama. Detachment 10 flew maritime surveillance missions and provided logistical support during the conference.

After the conclusion of the 5th Summit of the Americas Conference, Detachment 10 was tasked to the Western Caribbean Sea to participate in Operation Carib Shield, where they flew numerous missions monitoring merchant traffic for possible drug trafficking activity flowing from South America to the Northern Caribbean Sea and the Gulf Mexico.

Three U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDET), 401, 405, and 408, augmented Hawes and Detachment 10 to provide a complete law enforcement capability.

In mid-summer 2009, Detachment 10 was reassigned to Operation Flying Fish and Operation Carib Royale, which involved counter-drug operations in the Eastern Caribbean Sea. Both operations were multi-national and intra-agency collaborations involving the French Navy, the French Air Force, the British Navy, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Hawes was the first U.S. warship to participate in Operation Carib Royale. Detachment 10 flew maritime interdiction operations and brought the Airborne Use of Force capability to both operations.

In addition to conducting counter-drug operations throughout the Caribbean Sea, Detachment 10 was privileged to enjoy six breathtaking port visits. In the early months of their deployment, Detachment 10 visited Dutch Curacao and Cartagena, Columbia. Several members of Detachment 10 participated in a community relations project in Curacao helping to revitalize an aging nursing home.

In the latter half of their deployment, Detachment 10 visited Barbados, Cartagena, Jamaica, and Aruba. When asked about which port was his favorite, Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Donald Hackney, Detachment 10 Lead Aviation Machinist's Mate, said, "Barbados was spectacular; Oystins Bay Fish Market had the best Mahi Mahi this mouth has ever tasted!"

In total, HSL-48 Detachment 10 flew 430 mishap-free flight hours in support of both United States and allied interests in the Caribbean Sea. Together with the Sailors of Hawes and several U.S. Coast Guard LEDETs, the "Circus Freaks" had a significant impact on the counter-drug mission in the NAVSO Fleet Area of Focus.

As the Navy component command of U.S. Southern Command, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment.

Operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.