Navy establishes new helicopter squadron, moves LCS sustainment office

The Navy has established a new helicopter squadron that will be equipped with MH-60Rs to provide support for Littoral Combat Ships.

The service established Maritime Strike Squadron 50 at Naval Air Station Mayport, FL on Friday. HSM-50 will fall under Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic.

Cmdr. Carolyn Peterson, who has served as a Carrier Air Wing MH-60R operational squadron department head and a joint planning officer in Alaska, will lead the command.

The Navy also announced Friday that it has realigned the LCS Fleet Introduction and Sustainment Program Office to the Naval Sea System Command’s Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization and Sustainment directorate.

The LCS Fleet Introduction and Sustainment Program Office had been under the purview of PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants.

“This transition will ensure LCS sustainment plans remain aligned with all other surface ship classes as we serve the fleet,” Rear. Adm. Eric Ver Hage, commander of the Navy Regional Maintenance Center and director of surface ship maintenance and modernization, said in a Navy press release announcing the change.