Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven One returns from deployment with USS Abraham Lincoln

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven One (HSM-71), based in San Diego, recently returned from a five-month deployment with the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. The squadron, known as the "Raptors," conducted over 1,200 sorties and logged more than 3,300 flight hours. During the deployment, HSM-71 participated in significant exercises, including a joint operation with the Italian Navy. The squadron's MH-60R Seahawk helicopters provided critical anti-submarine and reconnaissance support, enhancing the strike group's operational capabilities in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East regions. HSM-71, formed in 2007, is one of the elite units operating the MH-60R. The aircraft features advanced technology for various missions, including anti-surface warfare and electronic warfare, making it a vital asset for naval operations.