HM-15 Blackhawks shine during Iraqi freedom.

HM-15's ability to rapidly deploy airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) and a heavy-lift combat logistics capability anywhere in the world within 72 hours was put to the test twice during forward-deployed operations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Four of HM-15's MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters were disassembled and 200 tons of equipment and 135 squadron personnel were airlifted via six C-5 Galaxy aircraft to Bahrain to form Detachment 2. Two weeks later, four more MH-53Es, 235 personnel and 400 tons of AMCM weapon systems were deployed to Sigonella, Sicily, to form Detachment 1.

In Bahrain, Det 2 was tasked with several direct combat support missions during OIF, including the first sorties flown by Navy rotary wing aircraft north of Umm Qasr during the initial days of the war. During a 56-day period, Det 2 transported over one million pounds of cargo and mail, and more than 1,500 passengers, significantly contributing to the sustainment of Navy combat operations in Iraq. Additionally, HM-15 provided direct combat support to Iraq, including the transportation of over 135 enemy prisoners of war from Navy ships into forward encampments inside Iraq.

Meanwhile, Det 1 was busy providing vital AMCM countermine protection to coalition ships operating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and Suez Canal approaches. Personnel quickly rebuilt and flight tested their helicopters and embarked on board Cleveland (LPD 7), which served as the mine countermeasures support ship. Attached to the Task Force CTF 62 mine countermeasures force, the Det 1 Blackhawks helped complete the most detailed route survey ever conducted of the northern approaches to the Suez.

Det 1 aircraft also conducted vertical on-board delivery (VOD) missions to the Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) carrier battle groups and the Iwo Jima (LHD 7) amphibious ready group, and transported much needed oversized cargo for units operating in the Med. The det also received urgent tasking to provide two aircraft for VOD support to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit at Souda Bay, Crete, to assist in offloading armed Marines and bulk ammunition from moored ships to the Souda Bay airfield. The small detachment moved 198 personnel and 183,500 pounds of equipment in just a few days.

As a direct reflection of HM-15's accomplishments, the Blackhawks remained in Bahrain as the permanent forward-deployed MH-53E AMCM and heavy-lift VOD capability in the Fifth Fleet's area of responsibility.