CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- The "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Detachment 1, returned home to Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, Sept. 11, after a seven-month deployment in the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific on board Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4).

The Wildcard detachment departed in February as a part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, which included San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD 18), Harpers Ferry-class amphibious landing dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 166 (Reinforced).

The ARG conducted operations in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Persian Gulf. Detachment 1 performed daily surface, surveillance and coordination (SSC) operations; Medical Evacuation/Casualty Evacuation support; sniper support for visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS); logistics support; and search and rescue (SAR) duties throughout the course of the deployment.

Beginning in March, the Wildcards and the Boxer ARG participated in the Sang Yong 2016 (SY16) exercise, a biennial amphibious exercise off the coast of South Korea. The two-week multinational exercise included participants from the Australian, New Zealand, and South Korean militaries, and demonstrated the full-spectrum amphibious capabilities of the ARG team. It included a full-scale simulated amphibious assault mission, where nearly 17,000 service members carried out an amphibious landing on the beaches of Pohang, South Korea. SY16 served to foster and sustain cooperative relationships among participating nations, which directly contributes to the security and stability of the region.

From April through July, the Wildcard detachment operated in the 5th Fleet area of operations (AOR). While operating in the Arabian Gulf, Boxer ARG collaborated in strike-aircraft launch operations with Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), operating in the Mediterranean Sea. This event marked the first time naval aviation combat-strike missions, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, were launched from Navy warships in two different operational theaters. The Boxer ARG/13th MEU team conducted 48 VBSS operations, logged 2,288 flight hours, and flew 1,756 sorties in the 5th Fleet AOR. HSC-23 Det 1 logged more than 750 flight hours in direct support of 5th Fleet operations, supporting counter-ISIL and maritime security operations, and serving as the primary strike coordination air reconnaissance/armed reconnaissance (SCAR/ARs) platform during two Strait of Hormuz transits and two Strait of Malacca transits.

In late July, Boxer ARG entered the 7th Fleet AOR and began conducting Pacific Presence Operations (PPO) and Freedom of Seas Navigation transits throughout the South China Sea. While operating in the 7th Fleet AOR, Boxer ARG conducted approximately 285 hours of flight operations, encompassing 214 sorties, and traveled approximately 9,511 nautical miles.

All three ships in the ARG were able to conduct mid-deployment voyage repairs, affording Sailors and Marines the opportunity to attend Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sponsored tours, volunteer for community-relations projects, and experience the local culture during multiple port visits.

In late August, Boxer ARG departed the 7th Fleet AOR and returned to the 3rd Fleet AOR. In total, HSC-23 Det 1 logged 1,200 total flight hours over the course of the seven-month deployment before returning home to NAS North Island.