Official HSM-72.1 Proud Warriors Grave Digger Patch — Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 72 Detachment 1 Embroidered Patch

The Grave Digger — HSM-72 Det 1 Proud Warriors, digging graves for enemy submarines with the MH-60R Seahawk one sonobuoy at a time.

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 72 (HSM-72), the "Proud Warriors," is a U.S. Navy maritime strike helicopter squadron operating the MH-60R Seahawk. HSM-72 Detachment 1 (HSM-72.1) deploys aboard surface combatants as an independent detachment, providing the ship with organic anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and maritime interdiction capabilities. The "Grave Digger" identity for this detachment reflects the aggressive ASW mindset of the crew — their job is to find, track, and if ordered, destroy enemy submarines.

The MH-60R Seahawk is the Navy's primary shipboard anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopter. It is equipped with the AN/APS-153 multi-mode radar, AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS) dipping sonar, sonobuoy processing and deployment systems, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors, and can carry the Mk 54 lightweight torpedo, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guided rockets. The MH-60R represents the most capable ASW helicopter ever fielded by any navy in the world.

HSM-72 detachments deploy aboard cruisers, destroyers, and frigates throughout the fleet, operating independently from the parent squadron for months at a time. The Proud Warriors of Det 1 carry the full weight of the ship's helicopter capability on their shoulders — a small team of pilots, aircrewmen, and maintainers who must be ready to launch on a moment's notice to prosecute submarine contacts or respond to surface threats.

Perfect For: HSM-72 Proud Warriors members and veterans, MH-60R Seahawk aircrew and maintainers, surface ship helicopter detachment personnel, ASW community members, and Navy helicopter patch collectors.

HSM-72.1 Proud Warriors — the Grave Digger — digging deep beneath the waves to bury whatever lurks below.