HS-17 Squadron Patch

The HS-17 "Neptune's Raiders" were on the USS Coral Sea Med cruise in 87-88, as part of CVW-13 Guardians. The Raider's call sign was "Valkyrie", because the original CO, CDR Mike Charley, liked the helo assault scene from "Apocalypse Now". While in Cannes, France, the raiders held a party attended by COM 6th Fleet, Jane Pauley, and other notables. Ms Pauley was then a guest of the USS Coral Sea, due to filming of one day of the "Today Show" from the deck of the USS Coral Sea. In the summer of1987, HS-17 won the HS (Atlantic) ASW "Rodeo" competition, besting all other non-embarked Atlantic HS squadrons in the annual ASW competition. The 'Neptune's Raiders' of HS-17 were disestablished on 02 July 91.