HS-9 Sea Griffins SH-3 Sea King (1987) Model
Fly with the HS-9 Sea Griffins of HS-9 in this handcrafted SH-3 model. Each piece is carved from wood and handpainted to provide a piece you’ll love.
- 16 inches
- Made from Mahogany
- US Naval Aviator Owned Business
- Officially Licensed by Sikorsky
- The product is not intended to be used by children 12 years and younger
Sikorsky®, SEA KING®, associated emblems and logos, and body designs of vehicles are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in the USA and/or other jurisdictions, used under license by Squadron Nostalgia LLC
1st squadron: June 1, 1956 – October 1, 1968
2nd squadron: June 4, 1976 – April 30, 1993
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
Type Helicopter squadron
Role Anti-submarine warfare
Part of Not active
Nickname(s) “Sea Griffins”
Engagements Operation Desert Storm
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 9 (HS-9) was the designation of two Helicopter Antisubmarine Warfare Squadrons of the United States Navy. The first squadron bearing the designation HS-9 was established on 1 June 1956 at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island with five HSS-1N “Seabat” helicopters. The squadron was disestablished on 1 October 1968. Eight years later, a new squadron was established on 4 June 1976, it was also designated HS-9. It deployed eight, Sikorsky SH-3H “Sea Kings”. That squadron was disestablished on 30 April 1993.
The second squadron designated HS-9 saw combat in the Middle East during the 1990-1991 Gulf War and deployed around the globe, including the Arctic Circle and Cape Horn. The squadron also appeared on the silver screen in the movie The Final Countdown.
HS-9 in 1958 aboard USS Leyte.
SH-34J Seabats from HS-9 on the USS Essex, 1962.
An HS-9 SH-3A from USS Essex in 1965.
First Squadron designated HS-9
On 1 June 1956, the Navy’s first all weather helicopter squadron was established at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron NINE (HS-9) “Sea Griffins”. The squadron began with five HSS-1N “Seabat” helicopters flown and supported by 20 officers and 100 enlisted men (tail code “HE”). HS-9 was first assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Leyte (CVS-32) and made two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean in 1957 and 1958. After retirement of the Leyte, HS-9 was assigned to the USS Valley Forge (CVS-45) and operated in the Atlantic Ocean in 1959.
On 2 May 1960, HS-9 joined with anti-submarine squadrons VS-34 Proud Tigers and VS-39 Hoot Owls in ceremonies establishing Carrier Antisubmarine Air Group 60 (CVSG-60) (tail code “AW”), thus forming the genesis of the Hunter/Killer Groups of the 1960s and early 1970s. From 1960 to 1966 CVSG-60 operated from the deck of USS Essex (CVS-9) in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. In September 1962 in compliance with the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system the squadron’s HSS-1N helicopters were redesignated the SH-34J “Seabat”. In October 1962 the Sea Griffins flew numerous antisubmarine and surface ship surveillance missions in support of the quarantine of Cuba. At its peak in 1964, HS-9 had a complement of 50 officers and 260 enlisted men. In 1963 HS-9 transitioned to the Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King.
By the time the squadron celebrated its tenth birthday in 1966, it had acquired over 55,000 flight hours and more than 15,000 ship-board landings. In 1966 CVSG-60 made a single deployment aboard the Randolph. From May to September 1967 a four aircraft detachment (HS-9 Detachment 66) embarked in USS America (CV 66) in support of initial feasibility studies of the “CV Concept.” While aboard, the Sea Griffins aided in the evacuation of casualties from USS Liberty (AGTR-5), which was attacked
