Here is a feature story written about Jade's squadron... enjoy!
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 performed the first live-fire and operational test of a new four-gun configuration for the MH-60S Knighthawk yesterday.The new setup puts two guns on each side of the Knighthawk and increases its operational capabilities when defending against small-boat attacks.In a scenario involving multiple targets, an aircrew of four gunners can use the new configuration to engage multiple targets on either side of the aircraft.“A .50-caliber gun has longer range and a larger caliber round, so it’s more effective against a small boat; but, as we get in closer, the 7.62 round can be used as well,” said HSC-8 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Mike Ruth. “Then we can combine both machine guns on the boats at the same time.”Ruth said the primary purpose of the four-gun configuration would be anti-terrorism force protection missions. These missions include straights transit operations, enclosed harbor patrols and any opportunity where Stennis comes into close contact with small boats. Until now, the MH-60S Knighthawk has only had two-gun configurations. “There was some concern about overlapping fields of fire, making sure that one gun isn’t shooting another gun,” said Ruth. “We had to make sure the mounts were compatible.”The live-fire test incorporated new gunfire patterns, voice calls and tactical procedures to accommodate the requirements of the four-gun configuration.The success of this test could lead NavAir to create new tactical guidelines to standardize the four-gun configuration for fleet-wide use, said Ruth.Increasing the capabilities and extending the versatility of aircraft already in the fleet is part of America’s maritime strategy to maintain the most efficient and effective fighting force possible to safeguard its national interests.
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 performed the first live-fire and operational test of a new four-gun configuration for the MH-60S Knighthawk yesterday.The new setup puts two guns on each side of the Knighthawk and increases its operational capabilities when defending against small-boat attacks.In a scenario involving multiple targets, an aircrew of four gunners can use the new configuration to engage multiple targets on either side of the aircraft.“A .50-caliber gun has longer range and a larger caliber round, so it’s more effective against a small boat; but, as we get in closer, the 7.62 round can be used as well,” said HSC-8 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Mike Ruth. “Then we can combine both machine guns on the boats at the same time.”Ruth said the primary purpose of the four-gun configuration would be anti-terrorism force protection missions. These missions include straights transit operations, enclosed harbor patrols and any opportunity where Stennis comes into close contact with small boats. Until now, the MH-60S Knighthawk has only had two-gun configurations. “There was some concern about overlapping fields of fire, making sure that one gun isn’t shooting another gun,” said Ruth. “We had to make sure the mounts were compatible.”The live-fire test incorporated new gunfire patterns, voice calls and tactical procedures to accommodate the requirements of the four-gun configuration.The success of this test could lead NavAir to create new tactical guidelines to standardize the four-gun configuration for fleet-wide use, said Ruth.Increasing the capabilities and extending the versatility of aircraft already in the fleet is part of America’s maritime strategy to maintain the most efficient and effective fighting force possible to safeguard its national interests.
Story and photos by MC2 Elliott FabrizioUSS John C. Stennis Public Affairs
Oh yeah... and as for me... there was snow on the "mountain" behind my brother's house and at school today... in Azusa, CA (not much, but any accumulation is- wow!)!!! This was after a brief but strong thunder storm came rolling in at 2am. I miss Colorado thunder storms, but that one was crazy... maybe because I was still half asleep!
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