Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 has returned to their homeport of Jacksonville, Florida after completing a nine-month deployment as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, embarked on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE.

“When the HSM-74 ‘Swamp Foxes’ deployed in October of last year, we embarked the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and her escort ships with the confidence that we were joining the best team in the world,” said Cmdr. John Kohut, commanding officer of HSM-74. “It is an honor to return with that team from such a historic combat deployment; executing the mission of the United States Navy at the highest professional level. Each Warrior Sailor of the ‘Swamp Foxes’ was critical to the defense of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) and the protection of innocent merchant shipping, directly rescuing 26 mariners attacked by the Houthis in the Southern Red Sea. The resilience of our Sailors, who persevered in harm’s way time and time again, is truly an awe-inspiring sight. Their actions with courage under fire, have earned my eternal gratitude and the thanks of a grateful nation.”

Unique from the other squadrons of CVW-3, HSM-74 outfitted a Combat Element (CEL) on nearly every cruiser and destroyer (CRUDES) unit augmenting IKECSG, to include the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Gravely (DDG 107). Aboard those units, HSM -74 provided irreplaceable capabilities, including search and rescue, combat logistics, and humanitarian aid.

During their nine-month deployment, the “Swamp Foxes” accomplished a multitude of feats, including the first-ever hellfire missiles employed to defend U.S. and coalition assets as well as innocent merchant vessels. During the Dec. 31 Houthi attack on civilian mariners in the Red Sea, “Swamp Fox” helicopters from Gravely and IKE engaged with four Houthi-employed small boats, ultimately sinking three of them after they maliciously opened fire on the aviators and aircrew of HSM-74.