Embarked Helicopter Detachment

A self-contained aviation element of aircrew, maintainers, and one or two helicopters deployed aboard a surface combatant for the ship’s deployment. Aboard US destroyers and cruisers the detachment flies the MH-60R or MH-60S Seahawk for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface targeting, search and rescue, and vertical replenishment. The detachment falls under the ship’s commanding officer for operations while remaining administratively tied to its parent helicopter squadron ashore, extending the ship’s sensor reach and weapons range well beyond the radar horizon.