U.S. Navy helicopter and CMV-22B Osprey crews drilled on extended search and rescue (SAR) capabilities in Alaska’s waters during exercise Northern Edge 2025 (NE25) in August, testing their skills in locating and saving downed crew members in the harsh Arctic environment. The “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG), established and operated from an expeditionary advanced base (EAB) in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, in the Aleutian Islands.
The forward operating base provided extended SAR coverage in support of maritime strike scenarios over the Gulf of Alaska from August 17 to 22. The squadron flies the MH-60S Sea Hawk.
“With the extreme distance, we realized months ago that it was going to be necessary to have search and rescue coverage well outside what HSC-14 could provide from the aircraft carrier,” Cmdr. Robin Dirickson, commanding officer of HSC-14, said in a news release from the flagship carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. “We identified a few locations where we’d be able to forward stage our helicopters to ensure that in the event anything happened to any of the fixed wing aircraft, our helicopters were properly positioned to make sure they got out of the water quickly.”
The “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, the U.S. Navy’s first CMV-22B Osprey squadron, joined in the operation. The vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tilt-rotor aircraft were essential to the expanded SAR exercise, the Navy said.
During a medical emergency simulation, HSC-14 saved a patient and transferred him to an Osprey while the VTOL simultaneously refueled the HSC-14 helicopter. The drill showcased the successful execution of a full rescue and medical evacuation, the Navy said. The Ospreys also refueled HSC-14 helicopters in remote locations throughout the Aleutians.
“This was proof that the carrier strike group could execute this event organically with our own assets, a big win, especially the interoperability between Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30’s CMV-22B Osprey and really fleshing out the tactics, techniques and procedures for this EAB operation,” said Lt. Anthony Vidal, HSC-14’s weapons and tactics instructor and the assistant officer in charge of the EAB operation. “Ospreys can carry enough fuel to meet us at an austere location where we can link up, get gas, and then we can continue on, kind of like a pit stop along the island chain.”
HSC-14 was operating separately from the Abraham Lincoln CSG, which was underway nearby in Alaska waters and the North Pacific Ocean as part of NE25, led by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The Abraham Lincoln CSG included the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, and the destroyers USS O’Kane, USS Michael Murphy and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr.
“I am incredibly proud of the Abraham Lincoln crew and their performance throughout Northern Edge,” Capt. Daniel Keeler, commanding officer of the Abraham Lincoln, said in a news release. “This has been a demanding but incredibly rewarding opportunity. Operating in Alaska alongside the joint force and our Canadian allies, we displayed not only our ship’s unique capabilities as the flagship of the world’s most powerful carrier strike group but also the dedication, technical acumen, and strength of Lincoln Nation.”
CVW-9 performed defensive counter-air, maritime strike missions and expeditionary advanced base operations that were essential to reinforcing the strike group’s abilities throughout the exercise area. CVW-9 racked up over 3,000 flight hours and more than 1,100 sorties during NE25.
“This exercise tested the SHOGUN Warriors of CVW-9 in a wide range of demanding missions, from long-range maritime strike to operating in an expeditionary manner forward deployed in Alaska’s challenging conditions,” Capt. William Frank, commander of Carrier Air Wing 9, said in the news release. “The professionalism and adaptability of our team proved once again that this Air Wing is ready to deliver combat power anytime, anywhere, no matter how contested the environment. The many hours of tactical flying don’t reflect all of the mission planning, aircraft maintenance, and preparation our aviators and maintainers put forward to accomplish our objectives. The Naval Aviation team continues to set the standard for responsiveness and warfighting excellence.”