Brian Sharrock wrote:
snip



That's the "World Famous" Golden Falcons emblem on the front of the
helo...but even not seeing that, the U.S. flag aft of the cargo door is
a giveaway, as HS-2 is, I believe, the only squadron in the USN
authorized to have it painted on their aircraft.



Interestingly, the aircraft depicted in your URL was not _toned down_
its bearing a red-blue-white USAF symbol, the flag is fully chromatic
and the unit badge is, as you say, definitely Golden; yet its got the basic
toned-down grey hull. Does HS-2 march to the sound of its own drum?
Haven't I seen the full-colo(u)r US National flag on the outside of
other USAF aircraft - albeit normally on the tail?


Way after my watch, but:

"In 1970, HS-2 was the first helicopter squadron to travel across the
United States for deployment on a ship from the other coast. In that
year, the squadron participated in operations with U.S. Forces
responding to the Jordanian Crisis. HS-2 was directed to prepare to go
into Amman, Jordan and also provide Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) for
the Battle Group. It was during the same year that the American flag was
painted on the helicopters. The flag was painted on the aircraft
overnight so the helicopter could be distinguished from the Israeli
H-3’s, which might also be operating in the combat zone. To commemorate
the event, the Chief of Naval Operations authorized the American flag to
become a permanent part of HS-2’s paint scheme. As a result of its
superior performance during that period, the squadron was awarded the
Navy Unit Commendation."

From: http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita.../navy/hs-2.htm

Rick Yount
HS-2
1958-1960