HS-5 Wins Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy

U.S. 5TH FLEET -- (NNS) -- The Nightdippers of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 5 were awareded the 2012 Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy April 2.

The award recognizes the squadron throughout the fleet that best demonstrates outstanding performance in the areas of anti-submarine warfare (ASW). This award is a testament to the achievements HS-5 has accomplished and its ability to maintain peak operational readiness.

"Working toward excellence is something that this squadron has constantly done day in and day out," said Cmdr. Dennis Vigeant, commanding officer of HS-5. "It speaks to the cycle of the older guys training the younger guys and training them well. I think that is a testament to this squadron that we have been tenacious keeping this on the front burner and consistently looking forward to stay sharp."

HS-5 has won a total of six Arnold Jay Isbell trophies, three of them in the last four years.

"Each year we try to set the bar as high as possible." said Chief Naval Aircrewman Jonathan Showerman, HS-5 operations training and safety leading chief petty officer. "We work everyday to become better and are always looking for ways to improve."

Captain Arnold Jay Isbell was a Naval Aviator from Oto, Iowa. He commanded the USS Card (CVE 11), an escort carrier, in the Atlantic during World War II. After being promoted to Captain, he was to command the USS Yorktown (CV 10) in the Pacific when the ship he was riding en route was bombed off of Okinawa March 19, 1945.

"Winning this award shows that we are capable of working together as one team," said Lt. Cmdr. Matt Persiani, HS-5 training officer. "Properly executing these mission areas is a combination of exemplary training, readiness, operational scheduling, leadership, and especially the pilots, aircrew and maintenance personnel who prepare all these missions."

HS-5 is a part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 and is currently deployed with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8 and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility promoting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn69/.