NAS JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 72 will return to Naval Air Station Jacksonville on Saturday evening after eight months overseas with Carrier Air Wing.
Last September, the Proud Warriors embarked on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.
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“We spent the first two months conducting exercises with NATO allies, with port visits in Norway and France. In late 2024, we entered the Red Sea as the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) began combat operations to safeguard America’s national security interests and maintain the U.S. Navy’s maritime dominance worldwide,” said Cmdr. John Zilai, HSM-72 commanding officer.
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During the deployment, the Proud Warriors provided continuous 24/7 coverage for CSG-8.
On Feb. 1, while operating in support of U.S. Africa Command from the Red Sea, the strike group supported a large-scale airstrike and delivered 124,000 pounds of ordnance against ISIS-Somalia operatives, according to a release.
“Our warfighters remain the Navy’s most important asset. Throughout our eight-month deployment, our Sailors met challenges head-on,” said Zilai. “Their professionalism and resilience were extraordinary, persevering through every demanding moment.”
According to NAS Jacksonville, the Proud Warriors will return home on Saturday after three deployment extensions, 97 consecutive days at sea, and having served as an “integral part of the longest sustained Navy combat operation since World War II by contributing over 1,500 sorties with nearly 5,000 flight hours.”