The squadron was established at NAAS Ream Field, Imperial Beach, California on June 1, 1956. The first helicopters employed by the command were the HSS-1 (H-34) Sea Bat. The squadron performed eight Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployments between 1958 and 1968 including combat tours in Vietnam. Notable achievements included the a 1,200 mile medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) made by helicopter, the longest in history. Other squadron achievements included participation in the Apollo VI space vehicle/crew recovery and performing more than 30 Combat Search and Rescue missions in North Vietnam.
An HH-60H assigned to HS-8 prepares to taxi at NAF El Centro, CA.
The squadron was decommissioned in November 1968 only to be recommissioned a year later on November 1, 1969. With the new commissioning came new helicopters, namely the SH-3D. Notable achievements during the next decade included site surveys for the Atomic Energy Commission, a study of blue whale migration patterns, supporting President Nixon during his working vacation aboard the USS New Orleans (LPH 11) and deploying in response to the Iranian hostage crisis. In 1976 the American Bicentennial Committee honored HS-8 as a bicentennial command. The squadrons 19th deployment came in response to Desert Shield/Desert Storm in December 1990. This deployment was the last for HS-8 in the SH-3.
On April 2, 1993 HS-8 completed transition from the SH-3H into the new SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk helicopter. The 21st WESTPAC was concluded in May of 1996 followed in September 1997 by an "Around the World Cruise" with the USS Nimitz. Deployments after this were routine until September 11, 2001.
From November 2001 to May 2002 HS-8 and Carrier Air Wing Nine deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom. There they played a vital role in the campaign that ended with the removal of the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
M240 machine gun is fired from a SH-60F Sea Hawk assigned to the "Eightballers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Eight (HS-8) during a training exercise. 2003
HS-8 made another WESTPAC deployment from January to September of 2003 followed by their second "Around the World Cruise" from January to August of 2005 aboard the USS Carl Vinson. The squadron earned the Carrier Air Wing Nine Golden Wrench Award for superior maintenance and mission completion percentages as well as the Battle E Device (Navy Battle Efficiency Award) for the 2005 World Cruise.
In early December 2005 an HS-8 helicopter and aircrew participated in filming a portion of the television show '24' where the helicopter was transporting the fictitious Russian president and his wife to the American presidents ranch. [(Navy News Stand)]
A change of command was held on January 13, 2006 aboard NAS North Island where the commanding officer, Cmdr. Marc Homan, was relieved by his executive officer, Cmdr. Murray 'Joey' Tynch.
