The Coronado Council of the US Navy League showed their (and the City’s) appreciation for Helicopter Squadron HSC-14, the Chargers, by serving refreshments to the families waiting in the hangar on October 7, for their loved ones to return. That day, 30 lucky crew members got to “Fly Off” the ship, one day ahead of the ship docking. I’m sure there is much jockeying to be on those flights, just as the jockeying of the families waiting by the hangar door. At 10:30 am, we could hear the copters before we could see them—then 4 small dots appeared in the sky, becoming whirling helicopters and flying directly over the hangar, to massive cheers, before turning and landing just in front of us.
On October 9, the Navy League served refreshments for a crowd of 350, at the hangar of HSM-71, The Raptors. This was the post-deployment award ceremony, the only occasion I can envision where EVERYONE truly deserves a “participation trophy”. It was only due to the efforts of everyone on board that the entire crew returned safely with no mishaps.
Donuts for October 7 were donated by CH Donuts of Imperial Beach, and coffee was donated by the Starbucks on Orange Ave, Coronado. For October 9, both coffee and donuts were provided by the Dunkin Donuts on base. A gargantuan task, to brew coffee for so many!
This deployment of the Abraham Lincoln was a true combat operation. This meant that sailors were not granted leave to return home for the birth of a child, or illness or death in the family. Both squadrons had several children born back home while the fathers were deployed. Meeting these new family members and reuniting with spouses and young children, was sight to behold.
The Coronado Council of the US Navy League thanks, and welcomes home, all members of HSC-14 and HSM-71, as well as ALL the brave sailors who deployed with the USS Abraham Lincoln.
VOL. 40, NO. 43 – Oct. 22, 2026